Moby Arena was ice cold Wednesday night.
Not literally, the ancient arena's heating system was working just fine, but in terms of shooting from both the Rams and Broncos.
Colorado State started the game 0-4 and even air-balled two free throws early in the first half, but still started out with the 8-0 lead over Boise State was was even colder than the Rams. In the first half, CSU could manage to make only 41 percent of their shots – and went a dreadful 8-18 from the free throw line – compared to a mere 33 percent from the field by Boise. But the Rams were there to rebound the rock on both ends as they went into the break up 22-11 in that area, scoring nine points on 10 offensive rebounds.
CSU ended the first half on a 14-0 run with Bejarano's fastbreak layup and-one while Boise State missed their final eight shots of the period and the Rams led 33-20.
They didn't mess around in the second half, getting out to a fast start by banging the boards with a reckless abandon. Pierce Hornung was all over the court and four minutes into the second he had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds and he was a big part of CSU's 9-2 run to push their lead to 42-24.
It seemed as though Hornung took all the shooting touch from the team; he went 7-10 on the night including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc to lead the team with 23 points. He also led with 13 rebounds and Colorado State coasted to the 77-57 victory.
Dorian Green finished with 12 points and his rim-rattling dunk with five minutes to go got the crowd out of their seats, while Colton Iverson ended with nine points and nine boards.
As per usual, the Rams won the rebounding battle – 39-33 Wednesday night – and they outscored the Broncos 32-22 in the paint.
"You know, I think that's the best we've played all year," head coach Larry Eustachy said following the game. "I told our team that. I loved the way when it didn't go right...that it did not affect the part that really wins."
"These guys have really bought in," he continued. "You can do that, you can go 19-35 (FTs), 6-22 (3PTs) – and believe it or not, Pierce (Hornung) hit three of the six – and still win by 20 points when you commit to defending and rebounding."
And Eustachy was quick to praise Hornung for his great game, saying, "He's just a man. He has not played well the last couple games...but nobody's harder on Pierce than Pierce."
"If there was ever 'my kind of guy,' he's my kind of guy," the coach finished.
For Colorado State, it was their 25th straight home win, which is the fourth-best streak in the nation. It also means the Rams improve to 17-4, 4-2 MWC on the season, sitting third in the Mountain West.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. You can follow Rich on twitter or facebook for all your CSU Rams news and opinion.
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