Fort Collins – No one told Jason Smith he had earned Mountain West player of the week honors Monday afternoon, so the Colorado State sophomore started a bid for next week’s award.
Despite numerous spills (resulting in knee, ankle, elbow and back pains) and four fouls that limited Smith to 25 minutes, the 7-foot center turned in his third straight double-double performance (21 points, 11 rebounds) to lead CSU to a 77-67 victory over Auburn.
No CSU player had posted three consecutive double-doubles since Mike Childress in the 1970-71 season.
“Oh, wow. That’s a long time,” Smith said.
CSU (5-0) used its distinct height advantage with 7-footers Smith and Stuart Creason, along with 6-9 Michael Harrison and a tacit assist from the altitude to take control of the game. The Rams turned in a school-record 12 blocked shots against a quick, athletic Southeastern Conference team devoid of a starter taller than 6-7.
“Coming up here, they weren’t used to what we were used to,” said Smith, who had two blocked shots.
Although he started slowly against Auburn’s 1-3-1 zone, hitting only one of his first six shots, Smith’s biggest contribution was a tip-in of a missed Cory Lewis free throw to restore a six-point lead with 1:38 left in the first half.
CSU broke out to a 10-point lead, 52-42, after Harrison blocked a shot and the press forced three more turnovers.
After the Tigers failed to do any damage outside, CSU left Auburn open for a 3-pointer by Quantez Robertson to cut the deficit to 58-51 with 10:37 left. Robertson made it a three- point game when he connected on the baseline after the Rams turned over the ball.
The Tigers (2-1) were within 68-65 with 2:21 remaining. But CSU had one of its few outside answers when Sean Morris hit outside the top of the key. Smith helped seal the win by tipping in a missed foul shot by Lewis for a 73-67 lead with 1:35 left.
Although CSU coach Dale Layer had more confidence going into this season than any other, “Nobody thinks they are going to be 5-0 out of the gate,” he said. “We’ve had a pretty tough schedule. There are a lot worse schedules out there being played. I’m thrilled, yet there’s a lot about our team we need to shore up.”
CSU’s victories include Colorado and Denver. Although the Tigers, with three freshman starters, were picked to finish last in the SEC Western Division, the visitors from Alabama had more overall athletic talent than any team CSU had seen this season.
Micheal Morris grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds as the Rams outrebounded Auburn 44-43. Josh Dollard led the Tigers with 18 points.
“Their inside guys are terrific,” Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said. “Dale has a good team.”
Footnote
Saturday’s game with IUPUI has been moved up from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the NCAA volleyball tournament.
AUBURN (2-1)
Dollard 6-16 5-6 18, Barber 5-8 0-1 10, Tolbert 1-4 2-3 4, Roberson 3-8 5-5 13, LeMelle 3-9 0-0 6, Hayles 4-10 0-2 8, Woodard 1-8 0-0 2, Howell 0-1 0-0 0, Barrett 0-3 0-2 0, Cameron 3-3 0-0 6. Totals 26-70 12-19 67.
COLORADO STATE (5-0)
Smith 6-13 9-11 21, Harrison 6-7 0-8 12, S. Morris 2-6 2-4 7, Lewis 2-8 3-6 7, M. Morris 2-3 1-2 6, Clark 0-0 0-0 0, Harris 1-1 0-0 2, Patterson 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Creason 5-7 8-10 18, Gilling 1-4 1-1 4. Totals 25-50 24-42 77.
Halftime – Colorado State 38-36. 3-point goals – Auburn 3-14 (Roberson 2-2, Dollard 1-3, Howell 0-1, Hayles 0-1, Woodard 0-2, Barrett 0-2, LeMelle 0-3), Colorado St. 3-12 (M. Morris 1-2, S. Morris 1-4, Gilling 1-4, Patterson 0-1, Lewis 0-1). Fouled out – Cameron, Creason, Tolbert. Rebounds – Auburn 43 (Barber 8), Colorado St. 44 (M. Morris 13). Assists – Auburn 9 (Roberson 3), Colorado St. 17 (Lewis 6). Total fouls – Auburn 30, Colorado St. 21. A – 4,377.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
