The Aztecs jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game, but the Rams responded with a 15-2 run over the next five minutes to go up 19-13 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. The lead grew to as many as seven but CSU entered the break with a slim 36-34 margin.
The second half was back-and-forth, as the defense stepped up on both sides of the floor. Eventually, the Rams held a seven-point lead at 56-49 with 8:22 to go, but SDSU scored 13 unanswered points over the next 5:13 to go up 62-56 with 3:09 to play. CSU got it down to two on a pair of freshman Isaiah Stevens free throws with 57 seconds to go, but could not get the shot to fall to get over the top, as the Aztecs closed the final seconds by making all four of their free throws for the win.
Colorado State finished the game at 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the field and just 25.0 percent (5-of-20) from the three-point line. San Diego State was limited to 35.2 percent (19-of-54) from the field, but was able to connect on 33.3 percent (11-of-33) on threes. SDSU was a solid 85.0 percent (17-of-20) at the free throw line as compared to CSU’s 76.5 percent (13-of-17) with the Rams holding a slight advantage on the glass, 36-34.
CSU was led by redshirt-senior Nico Carvacho’s 17 points, while Stevens was the only other Ram in double figures with 12. San Diego State had three players in double figures, led by Malachi Flynn with 17.