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Walker's 31 lead CSU past Northern Colorado Rams knock off Bears to start season 2-0
Nov. 18, 2008
By John Manuszak FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Marcus Walker erupted for 31 points and Andy Ogide added 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds to lead Colorado State past Northern Colorado, 85-74, on Tuesday night at Moby Arena. The game, between the two schools separated by just over 30 miles, was a heated contest that featured seven ties, 15 lead changes and several periods of physical play, but in the end, the Rams had too much for their local rival. “Northern Colorado is a very physical team and they got us out of synch offensively, but we responded,” said Head Coach Tim Miles. “I’m proud of the kids. We always talk about finding a way to win and tonight we did.” Colorado State took control of the game midway through the second half as they used a 10-0 run to take a lead that they would never relinquish. The win moved the Rams to 2-0 to start the season and gave them back-to-back wins over opponents that took it to CSU last season. “We didn’t lose to them (Montana and UNC) by just a little bit either, they both waxed us (last season),” said Miles. “So, I felt good we came back and won these games. But we’re not going to rest on anything. We have a great opponent in Minnesota coming in here Saturday night.” Walker was dominant for the Rams throughout the game including 15 points in the first half. But, he took over when the Rams needed him the most – down the stretch. When the Bears took, what turned out to be their final lead of the ballgame at 53-52, Walker answered with a layup to give the Rams the lead for good. He then put the Rams up 10 at 65-55 with a three-pointer with 6:41 remaining in the game before the Bears made one final move. Over the final 3:38 of the game, UNC got within four points on three occasions including 74-70 with 2:03 left in the game. But Walker answered right back with his third and final three-pointer of the night to put the Rams up 77-70. He then sealed the Rams win with a steal and layup with 44 seconds left that put CSU up seven. In the closing seconds, Andre McFarland drained all four of his free throw attempts to put the game away.
“Tonight, I just felt like I was in the right places at the right time,” said Walker. “As a team, I think we made enough hustle plays to make us win the game tonight.” The Rams suffered a major blow with 5:35 left in the opening half when senior guard Willis Gardner landed awkwardly on his left ankle and did not return. “Anytime you have someone like Willis go down, you just have to step up,” said Walker. Two players in particular for the Rams did just that. With Gardner out of the game, Josh Simmons and Jesse Carr played major roles for the Rams. After playing just five minutes in the Rams season opener on Friday, Simmons tallied eight points and hit a key three-pointer while Carr played his second straight solid game and finished with seven points, three assists and two rebounds. “Jesse’s really our only other point guard, so when Willis went down it was like, alright brother baptism by fire,” said Miles. “But Jesse’s a really savvy kid and handled himself really well tonight.” For the Bears, Jefferson Mason led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Devon Beitzel hit three three-pointers on his way to 13 points. Offense was at a premium in the opening minutes as both team struggled in the early going before a quick Rams run gave CSU some separation. The Rams led 4-3 before a 7-0 burst that put CSU up 11-3. The Bears clawed their way back in the game and after Beitzel hit back-to-back three-pointers, UNC was up one at 16-15. UNC took their first lead of the game at 23-22 after a free throw by Mason. In the final second of the first half, Mason would strike again as his lay-in at the horn tied the game at 35. The Rams will next be in action on Saturday night at Moby Arena as they play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 8 p.m. MT. The game will mark the first time a Big Ten team has played at Moby Arena since the 2003-04 season when the Rams beat Purdue. |
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