A double dose of victories for Colorado State.
The Rams hosted a women-men basketball doubleheader at Moby Arena on Nov. 9 and both CSU teams put up high-scoring victories.
Here are takeaways from the day of hoops.
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Colorado State men’s basketball team flexes depth to beat Omaha
The men’s game was a tale of one team with a couple high-volume scores and one with a lot of different options.
Depth paid off for CSU in a 97-74 win over Omaha.
The Rams (2-0) had to work through more of a grind in this one than the opener over Incarnate Word. Omaha continued to stay in the game with the hot shooting of Tony Osburn and Lance Waddles.
Osburn scored 24 and Waddles had 18 as Omaha was within five points with 15 minutes to go.
But CSU’s options were better. The Rams continued to attack inside and used that to drive up the foul count of Omaha and the free throw count for the Rams.
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CSU slowly pulled away and the final 8 or so minutes were no contest as the Rams won a second blowout in a row to open the season.
CSU finished with nine players scoring and four in double figures. Josh Pascarelli set the tone with three 3-pointers early in the game and he finished with 15. Augustinas Kiudulas had 13 points off the bench. Carey Booth scored 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rams next play at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Moby Arena against Cal Poly.
Kyle Jorgensen’s growth is evident
CSU big Kyle Jorgensen showed flashes of his talent as a freshman last season and his basketball savvy was a constant point of praise from coaches.
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But he also wasn’t physically ready for all the tolls of a college basketball season.
That was the big focus of his offseason and a new player has emerged.
Jorgensen showed off every one of his clever post moves, putting Omaha defenders in a blender.
He scored a career-high 25 points (8-for-12 shooting) and was unguardable late in the game as CSU pulled away. Jorgensen also added eight rebounds.
Presumed starting center Rashaan Mbemba was out again with an ankle injury, but Jorgensen is making his mark.
CSU women dominate with big test ahead
Colorado State women’s basketball player McKenna Murphy shoots during a game at Moby Arena against Long Beach State on Nov. 9.
The first half of the hoops doubleheader was full domination.
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The CSU women’s basketball team easily handled an overmatched Long Beach State 73-34.
The Rams led by 20 after the first quarter and the game was never close.
“Defensively exceptional,” coach Ryun Williams said after the Rams forced 24 turnovers.
CSU (2-0) shot just 18% on 3-pointers (6-34). Williams said he liked the shot selection but the ball just didn’t fall.
“We haven’t fired it all together yet. It just hasn’t happened yet on the offensive end, but it’s coming,” Williams said. “The ball was moving, we made the extra pass.”
Still, CSU has scored 75 and 74 points in its first two games. Lexus Bargesser had 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Rams. Lexi Deden (11 points), McKenna Murphy (10), Hannah Ronsiek (10) and Madelyn Bragg (10) all finished in double figures.
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Next up: A game at Gonzaga (7 p.m. Nov. 13) to provide a stronger test of where the Rams are.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State sweeps basketball doubleheader
