FORT COLLINS — Colorado State bore an uncanny resemblance Saturday night to bright orange traffic cones with dark green “Aggies” lettering across the front. One student in the stands wore a reflective traffic-control vest.
Coincidentally or not with the retro enthusiasm generated by 5,277 in Moby Arena, the Rams — or Aggies — are starting to look like a team with some realistic postseason aspirations.
CSU used “throwback” night to dress down Wyoming 80-64. Forward Andre McFarland ignited a 14-2 first-half run that included four 3-pointers.
More so, the Rams (14-9, 5-4 Mountain West) swept Wyoming (9-14, 2-7) in the regular season for the first time in 10 years, and CSU pulled into a tie for fourth place with San Diego State.
“We definitely need to be 8-8 or 9-7 (in the MWC) to get to our goal of postseason,” said forward Andy Ogide, who had his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. “We need to steal a couple on the road, and we will be right where we need to be.”
With McFarland leading the way, CSU drained 8-of-9 3-point attempts in the first half. McFarland had all but disappeared this season because of back ailments. When Adam Nigon opened the second half with another 3-pointer for a 46-26 lead, it was almost over.
The Cowboys still wouldn’t surrender the Border War, closing within 57-47 on a dunk by freshman Desmar Jackson. CSU answered with a 6-1 run.
It was a typical high-collision game between the rivals, with two from each side fouling out.
“The biggest improvement they’ve made is their ability to knock down shots and also on the glass,” Wyoming coach Heath Schroyer said. CSU owned the boards 42-26 and also reversed an erratic tendency at the free-throw line.
Forward Travis Franklin, who came in shooting 40 percent of his free throws, hit 12-of-19 and finished with a game-high 20 points.
“It just feels good to make them,” Franklin said.
CSU exploited the undermanned Cowboys, decimated by injuries and player departures. Guard A.J. Davis, a 19-game starter and Wyoming’s third-leading scorer at 10 points a game, left the team last week for undisclosed reasons.
CSU coach Tim Miles expected it to have a rallying effect on the Cowboys. And Schroyer said, “I couldn’t be happier with those guys in our locker room.”
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
