LAS VEGAS — For being such a longtime rival, Wyoming sure did Colorado State a huge favor.
The Cowboys forgot to show up for the first nine minutes of their opening-round Mountain West tournament game Wednesday, falling behind 25-0 against Air Force in an eventual loss that advanced the Falcons to Thursday’s quarterfinals against CSU.
That provided the Rams a significantly more favorable matchup, avoiding a Cowboys squad they were lucky to beat once, let alone twice this season, and instead pitted them against a team it had beat 11 times in a row and by 27 earlier this year.
Behind a show-stopping performance by Gian Clavell (30 points and seven rebounds), the No. 2 seed Rams took full advantage of the fortunate draw by blitzing the No. 10 seed Falcons 81-55. They advanced to Friday’s semifinals to face the winner of third-seeded Boise State and sixth-seeded San Diego State (10:30 p.m. MT).
It’s the Rams’ fifth appearance in the semifinals in six years, with the previous four each falling short.
Boxscore:
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Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Colorado State's Gian Clavell shoots as Air Force's CJ Siples defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Air Force's CJ Siples passes as Colorado State's Emmanuel Omogbo defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Colorado State's Gian Clavell shoots a three-point basket as Air Force's Jacob Van defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Colorado State's Prentiss Nixon shoots as Air Force's Pervis Louder defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Colorado State's Nico Carvacho dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Air Force in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Colorado State's Emmanuel Omogbo shoots as Air Force's Hayden Graham defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
Air Force's Lavelle Scottie shoots as Colorado State's Braden Koelliker defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Isaac Brekken, The Associated Press
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Colorado State's Gian Clavell shoots as Air Force's CJ Siples defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Mountain West Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas.
