FORT COLLINS — Jesse Carr, who had all but disappeared from the Colorado State lineup recently, played his old game in his new backup role.
A starter two years ago as a true freshman, Carr came off the Rams’ bench late in the second half Saturday night. He scored 10 points in as many minutes and was perfect from the floor, hitting 4-of-4 shots to help CSU defeat Texas Christian 79-69 in a Mountain West Conference game.
The Rams improved to 12-5 overall and 2-1 in the MWC before 4,193 fans at Moby Arena.
TCU (10-9, 1-3) moves to the Big East Conference on July 1, 2012. It might be a good move for the Horned Frogs’ powerhouse football program, but it’s an ill-advised switch for the MWC’s perennial bottom feeder in men’s basketball.
“I’m kind of in a different role than I have been in the past,” said Carr, a 6-foot-2 sophomore guard from Ainsworth, Neb. “Coming off the bench has been a little bit hard for me, and it’s hard to get used to it. I talked to Coach (Tim) Miles, and I just have to go out there and play.”
Carr redshirted last season after a pelvic injury ended his freshman season with the Rams.
With sophomore guard Dorian Green entrenched in the lineup and Wes Eikmeier, a transfer from Iowa State, also providing a boost as a sophomore guard, Carr has looked frustrated in limited playing time.
“He played because I was mad at another guy,” Miles said. “I’m happy for Jess. I thought he played to his potential.”
CSU forwards Andy Ogide and Travis Franklin combined for 31 points against the Frogs. Scoring mostly inside, the Rams were shooting 76 percent from the floor with 2:15 left in the first half. By halftime, Franklin and Ogide had combined to connect on 10-of-13 shots. CSU shot 60 percent for the game.
“We weren’t surprised,” said TCU coach Jim Christian. “We gave them easy basket after easy basket.”
The Rams led 46-35 at halftime. When the Frogs closed to within five points, CSU put a stop to their rally.
The Rams held TCU star Ronnie Moss, who scored 27 points against Wyoming, to 17 points. Moss hit 6-of-14 shots.
CSU’s conference schedule is about to get tougher. The Rams play Wednesday at Nevada-Las Vegas (14-4, 2-2). They play at home next Saturday against 11th-ranked Brigham Young (17-1, 3-0), which features the nation’s leading scorer in senior guard Jimmer Fredette.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
