Fort Collins – For the first time since the Mountain West Conference schedule started, Colorado State played as well as it did during the nonleague stretch.
The turnabout in the Rams’ fortune came partially because short-handed TCU had the same talent level as many of CSU’s lesser nonleague foes. A bigger part was forward Freddy Robinson negating TCU standout Nile Murry. The result was an 89-74 mastery of the Horned Frogs on Wednesday in what was likely a preview of the play-in game for the last two seeds in the MWC Tournament.
CSU (14-12, 3-10) is mathematically able to climb into seventh place. There is little chance of TCU (5-22, 1-12) making it out of the cellar.
“We’re starting to get our swagger back, game by game, practice to practice,” Robinson said. “I hope we can make another tournament run.”
Robinson, a junior who missed two seasons with injuries, is one of two players remaining from the 2003 team that won the MWC Tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Robinson, who has scored 51 points in the last four games, turned in a season-high 16 points and four assists. His biggest role was keeping Murry from getting loose with the ball. Murry finished with 14 points, hitting only four of 11 shots, and most of his baskets came when Robinson was on the bench or CSU switched defenses.
CSU coach Dale Layer called Murry the league’s best shooting guard behind San Diego State’s Brandon Heath.
“I just let my defense determine everything I do on the court,” Robinson said. “My energy and passion is devoted to defense, and from there I just try to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
Said Layer: “I thought Freddy had an inspirational game. Freddy is a lot different player than he was 31 days ago (in the first meeting with TCU.)”
But the halftime locker room was business as usual for the Rams despite a 43-37 lead.
“I was very upset at halftime,” Layer said. “I don’t think we finished the first half. We should have been up by 14.”
The Rams pulled ahead 65-49 off three straight free throws by Sean Morris when TCU answered with its only mini-run of the night, closing within 65-57 on Allen Taylor’s jumper.
CSU freshman guard Stephan Gilling made three 3s, and Robinson added two free throws to put the game out of reach.
It was difficult for either team to gain momentum given the frequent whistles that sent CSU to the line 38 times and TCU 29.
“I kept thinking the clock has got to run, I want to win,” Robinson said.
Footnotes
Attendance at Moby Arena dipped below 3,000 for the first time in league play. … TCU reserve guard Rob Staky, a former Regis High School player, got in the game the final two minutes.
TCU (5-22, 1-12)
Stubbs 6-15 5-8 18, Pierce 2-2 0-1 4, Hackett 6-13 1-1 14, Murry 4-11 3-3 14, Owens 2-8 6-10 11, Ibikunle 1-2 1-2 3, Markley 0-0 0-0 0, Adams 0-1 4-4 4, Staky 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 24-57 20-29 74.
COLORADO ST. (14-12, 3-10)
Robinson 5-8 4-4 16, Smith 2-4 9-9 13, Harrison 5-5 2-4 12, Lewis 0-3 4-4 4, Gilling 5-13 1-2 16, Clark 0-0 0-0 0, S.Morris 2-4 8-9 13, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Peterson 1-2 0-0 3, Creason 2-2 4-4 8, M.Morris 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 23-43 34-38 89.
Halftime – Colorado State 43-37. 3-point goals – TCU 6-23 (Murry 3-7, Stubbs 1-2, Owens 1-5, Hackett 1-8, Adams 0-1), Colorado St. 9-20 (Gilling 5-9, Robinson 2-4, Peterson 1-2, S.Morris 1-3, Lewis 0-2). Fouled out – Lewis, Pierce. Rebounds – TCU 25 (Owens 7), Colorado St. 35 (Smith 9). Assists – TCU 11 (Murry 6), Colorado St. 19 (Lewis 6). Total fouls – TCU 25, Colorado St. 25. A – 2,903.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
