FORT COLLINS — Overtime was no time for Colorado State to go flat. Not against Utah, ranked as high as No. 11 on some RPI lists. Not against 7-foot-2 senior center Luke Nevill, projected as a first-round pick in the NBA draft.
CSU nearly pulled off the Mountain West Conference upset of the year Wednesday night. The extra five minutes, however, quickly turned into a disaster as league-leading Utah (19-7, 10-2) prevailed 89-79.
“It was cool hanging tough, but hanging tough ain’t enough,” said CSU’s Marcus Walker, who had 22 points and four assists.
Nevill, who produced his 10th double-double of the season (23 points, 14 rebounds) and a career-high seven blocked shots, asserted himself in overtime. The Australian scored eight points, and the Utes went 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
“Our veteran-ness took over at the end,” said Utah coach Jim Boylen, unsure if he created a new word. He was only sure that CSU (8-18, 3-9) was improving.
CSU coach Tim Miles said: “I loved our passion and energy. It proves if we play like we’re capable, we can play with anybody. Obviously, I’m disappointed we didn’t execute in overtime.”
Walker led CSU to a 38-34 halftime advantage. The Rams had taken a 10-point lead 2:35 left after Andy Ogide’s jumper.
Then Tyler Kepkay, Utah’s shortest man on the floor at 6-feet, took advantage of the attention given Nevill with a 20-point second half and finished with a career-best 27 points.
The Rams put a scare into the MWC leader despite standout freshman guard Jesse Carr sitting out with a lingering groin injury.
“We came in expecting a dogfight and we got it,” said Kepkay, who made his last eight shots after starting 1-of-8.
UTAH (19-7)
Tillie 0-2 2-2 2, Brown 5-15 2-4 12, Nevill 8-11 7-7 23, Drca 2-5 0-0 5, Borha 6-10 1-1 16, Tavita 0-1 0-0 0, Green 1-2 2-2 4, Kepkay 9-16 6-7 27. Totals 31-62 20-23 89.
COLORADO STATE (8-18)
McFarland 2-7 0-0 5, Ogide 7-13 1-3 15, Walker 8-20 3-4 22, Perry 1-4 0-1 3, Gardner 6-12 5-7 18, Franklin 2-3 6-7 10, Nigon 1-1 0-0 2, Dunn 1-2 0-0 3, Bocar Ba 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 28-64 16-24 79.
Halftime — Colorado St. 38-34. End of regulation — Tied 73. 3-point goals — Utah 7-19 (Borha 3-7, Kepkay 3-7, Drca 1-3, Brown 0-1, Green 0-1), Colorado St. 7-16 (Walker 3-4, Dunn 1-2, Perry 1-3, Gardner 1-3, McFarland 1-4). Fouled out — Drca, Ogide. Rebounds — Utah 40 (Nevill 14), Colorado St. 35 (Gardner 7). Assists — Utah 10 (Brown 3), Colorado St. 9 (Walker 4). Total fouls — Utah 19, Colorado St. 21. A — 2,246.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
