FORT COLLINS — Andy Ogide celebrated Andy Ogide headband night with his 10th double-double of the year, returning Colorado State to the form the Rams displayed before a three-game losing streak dampened NCAA hopes.
After struggling over an eight-day period, the Rams completed a season sweep of Utah, 78-65. The Utes, in their final Moby Arena appearance, came in with a three-game winning streak.
CSU observed the season home finale with a headband giveaway, a salute to Ogide’s signature look.
The win for CSU (19-10, 9-6 Mountain West), clinches no worse than the No. 4 seed in next week’s MWC Tournament. The Rams could move up to third with an upset at San Diego State on Saturday. The Nos. 5-7 seeds will come down to the final game of the season.
It was all Ogide in the first half when no one besides the senior forward scored more than one basket. He was determined to make his final scheduled appearance in Moby Arena a memorable one. By halftime he had 12 points and five boards and owned MWC 7-3 shot block leader David Foster.
The display included a reverse dunk on a solo break fed by Adam Nigon.
During the three-game losing streak, CSU put up 54 shots behind the arc, making just 14. This time, the Rams didn’t force the 3-pointers. Not every shot fell but struggling guards Dorian Green and Wes Eikmeier pulled up for jumpers in the paint to boost their confidence.
Finally, Eikmeier buried a 3-pointer to pull the Rams ahead 39-33 with 15:09 remaining in the game. The Rams led by 10 points twice in the first half, only to let the Utes back in the game before intermission.
A goaltending call on Will Bell sparked a 7-0 Utah run to finish the half, slicing CSU’s lead to 30-29.
Josh Watkins’ opening basket of the second half gave Utah’s its first lead of the night. Ogide and Nigon combined to restore a 34-31 lead. By the time Ogide hit two foul shots and Eikmeier followed with a jumper, the Rams owned a 47-35 command with 11:22 remaining.
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
