Near Upset

Game Scores	1	2	Final	Records
Northern State	35	42	77	0-0, 0-0 NSIC
Colorado State	43	37	80	0-0, 0-0

Fort Collins, Colo. – Despite a 12-3 Northern State run to end the game, the Colorado State men’s basketball team survived its first exhibition contest of the 2004-05 season with an 80-77 victory over the Wolves in Fort Collins on Saturday.

With the Rams holding their largest lead of the night at 77-65 with 5:01 to play in the game, things looked well in hand at Moby Arena for CSU. The No. 16-ranked Wolves of NCAA Division II were not through, however, as they rolled to a 12 straight points to knot the score at 77-77 with 2:14 left on the clock.

CSU’s Matt Nelson hit the front end of a one-and-one to give the lead back to CSU but after three straight missed free throws for the Rams, Northern State regained an opportunity to win the game.

With eight seconds to go in the contest, NSU guard Jarod Obering missed an open three-pointer while Sean Morris corralled the rebound for Colorado State and fed his older brother, Micheal, who secured the game with a showcase dunk to seal the 80-77 win for the Rams.

Center Matt Nelson led the Rams in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the floor while Jon Rakiecki hit three long-range field goals in the first half for 15 points in the game. Freshmen Stuart Creason and Jason Smith each tabbed 10 for the Rams to round out players in double figures.

Smith and CSU forward Phillip Thomasson each pulled down seven rebounds to pace the Rams on the boards.

For Northern State, Bjorn Schoo, Matt Hammer and Aaron Busack each had 13 to lead the Wolves.

CSU shot 51 percent from the floor and was 6-of-16 from long range while Northern was 42 percent from the floor and 7-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Colorado State will continue its exhibition schedule on Thursday when they host CSU Pueblo for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.

(Story Courtesy CSU Media Relations)