Fort Collins – Colorado State 7-footers Jason Smith and Stuart Creason owned the paint. North Dakota State sub-6-footer Ben Woodside and teammates dominated behind the arc. But the Rams’ domination at the foul line preserved their seventh straight win, 82-80, at Moby Arena.
CSU connected on 28-of-35 free throws Monday night, to just 5-of-9 by North Dakota State.
“We attacked the basket all night,” CSU coach Dale Layer said. “When you attack the rim, most teams get to the line more.”
The Rams continued to round into form for Mountain West Conference play, holding off a late charge for the third straight game – this time over a Division I independent.
Creason contributed a career-high 22 points, one shy of Smith’s output.
CSU not only went to the free-throw line more, Creason and Smith played with the freedom of no foul trouble. It was only the second game in Smith’s career that he wasn’t called for a foul.
He was even shocked when told of the statistic.
After building second-half, double-figure leads against Kansas State and Colorado, the Rams barely held on to beat North Dakota State. CSU didn’t need a Big 12 opponent for a similar scenario as a 68-58 lead with 6:24 left was erased by Woodside’s 3-pointer with 1:06 to play for a 77-77 tie. CSU guard Cory Lewis went inside to score, putting the Rams ahead for good with a layup.
Tyler Smith hit 4-of-5 foul shots to withstand another 3- pointer from Woodside with 1.6 seconds left.
“We’re getting a little worried about that pattern. We have to learn to finish games,” Jason Smith said.
It was also a familiar pattern for the Bison, who lost by four points at Texas Tech and by two points at home against Kansas State.
“I told our team before the game this was the best basketball team we’ve played,” Layer said. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
The Bison came in averaging 8.1 rebounds a game more than the opposition. But the Rams outrebounded them 35-30, led by Jason Smith’s 10.
North Dakota State’s top rebounder, 6-8 Andre Smith, was averaging 10.8 a game. He left briefly in the second half after taking an elbow to the head. He returned, only to foul out and finish with 16 points and seven rebounds.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE (6-4)
Winkelman 7-12 0-0 18, A. Smith 8-17 0-0 16, Moormann 0-2 0-0 0, Woodside 6-10 4-4 20, Nelson 6-13 1-3 14, Riley 2-4 0-0 4, Pennick 4-5 0-2 8, Sussenguth 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 33-64 5-9 80.
COLORADO STATE (8-2)
Jas. Smith 6-12 11-14 23, Creason 8-11 6-6 22, Lewis 3-6 6-7 12, T. Smith 4-9 3-4 13, Denson 2-7 0-0 4, Jar. Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Kilby 2-2 1-2 5, A. Robinson 1-1 1-2 3, Surratt 0-0 0-0 0, Gilling 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 26-52 28-35 82.
Halftime – Colorado State 35-34. 3-point goals – North Dakota State 9-18 (Winkelman 4-6, Woodside 4-6, Nelson 1-5, A. Smith 0-1), Colorado State 2-14 (T. Smith 2-6, Jas. Smith 0-1, Gilling 0-2, Lewis 0-2, Denson 0-3). Fouled out – Riley, A. Smith. Rebounds – North Dakota State 30 (Winkelman 8), Colorado State 35 (Jas. Smith 10). Assists – North Dakota State 20 (Woodside 6), Colorado State 11 (Denson 3, Lewis 3). Total fouls – North Dakota State 25, Colorado State 15. A – 3,130.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
