FORT COLLINS, CO - Trailing by only three points at halftime to NCAA Division I Colorado State, the UAFS Lions rallied to take a two-point lead with 11 minutes left in the game, but their upset bid fell short as the Rams pulled away late for an 87-73 exhibition win on Tuesday night at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo.
It was the third game in five days for the Lions (12-0), who were coming off a pair of wins in the UAFS Holiday Classic on Friday and Saturday at the Stubblefield Center. It also was the last game for the No. 5/11 Lions before the Christmas holiday break.
UAFS shot 44 percent from the field (27 of 61) – it was 11-of-29 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 73 percent from the free-throw line (8 of 11). Senior guard Darrion Strong-Moore led the Lions with 15 points, while junior guard Chris Crawford and senior guard Ladarius Coleman had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior forward Dalton Glapion had a team-high seven rebounds and was one of five Lions with four or more rebounds.
Colorado State (6-6) shot 45 percent from the field (33 of 74) – it was 8-of-26 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 65 percent from the free-throw line (13 of 20). Junior forward Deion James led the Rams, who led 42-39 at halftime, with 22 points off the bench. Junior guard Prentiss Nixon had 17, junior guard J.D. Paige 14 and sophomore guard Anthony Bonner had 12.
Senior forward Che Bob led the Rams with 11 rebounds, helping Colorado State out-rebound UAFS by two rebounds (41-39).
MEN
COLORADO STATE 87, UAFS 73 (EXH.)
UAFS 39 34 — 73
Colorado State 42 45 — 87
UAFS (12-0): Strong-Moore 15, Crawford 12, Coleman 10, Thomas 9, Wallace 9, Glapion 8, Elder 4, Rivera 3, Jolly 2, Hawley 1
Colorado State (6-6): James 22, Nixon 17, Paige 14, Bonner 12, Bob 9, Mitchell 5, Carvacho 4, Jenkins 2, Berwick 2