FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — Colorado State used a strong second half to pull away from Dartmouth for a 76-55 men’s basketball victory Tuesday night at Moby Arena. The Rams led 33-24 at halftime before outscoring the Big Green 43-31 after the break. The win improved Colorado State’s record to 8-2 this season, while Dartmouth fell to 3-5. A crowd of 5,321 watched the home team cover the pregame spread as the combined score fell well under the projected total. Colorado State will host Northern N.M. on Sunday, while Dartmouth returns home to face Boston University on Saturday.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — The Colorado State Rams used a balanced scoring attack and a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Dartmouth Big Green for a 76-55 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Moby Arena. A crowd of 5,321 saw the Rams improve to 8-2 on the season, while Dartmouth fell to 3-5. The game’s decisive stretch came early in the second half. After trailing 33-24 at halftime, Dartmouth opened the second period with a 9-2 run, capped by a Jayden Williams 3-pointer, to cut the deficit to just two points at 35-33. The Big Green had momentum and appeared poised to challenge the heavily favored Rams on their home floor. Colorado State responded immediately and emphatically. The Rams unleashed a 17-2 surge over the next five minutes, transforming a tight contest into a comfortable lead. The run was fueled by defensive pressure that forced multiple Dartmouth turnovers and a series of efficient offensive possessions. Josh Pascarelli hit a critical 3-pointer during the stretch, and Carey Booth punctuated it with a dunk, pushing the Rams’ advantage to 52-35. Dartmouth never recovered from the blitz, as Colorado State maintained at least a 14-point lead for the remainder of the game. Brandon Rechsteiner led the Rams with 14 points, showcasing his scoring ability in key moments, particularly in the first half to help establish an early cushion. Jevin Muniz orchestrated the offense effectively, finishing with 11 points and a game-high four assists. Kyle Jorgensen provided a consistent interior presence, adding 12 points, while Jase Butler and Josh Pascarelli each contributed 10 points. The Rams’ depth was evident as five players scored in double figures. For Dartmouth, Kareem Thomas led the way with 12 points. Jayden Williams added 11 points, and Cameron Hiatt chipped in 10. Brandon Mitchell-Day filled the stat sheet with eight points, four assists and a blocked shot, but the Big Green struggled with ball security against Colorado State’s defensive activity, committing numerous turnovers that fueled the Rams’ transition game. The first half was a back-and-forth affair defined by runs. Dartmouth opened the scoring, but Colorado State built a 12-point lead midway through the period behind Rechsteiner’s shooting. The Big Green clawed back with a 7-0 run of their own, featuring a 3-pointer from Mitchell-Day, to keep the halftime margin manageable at nine points. That momentum carried into the opening minutes of the second half before Colorado State’s game-changing run sealed the outcome. The Rams shot efficiently from the field, while Dartmouth’s offensive struggles, particularly from beyond the arc, prevented any sustained comeback attempt after the decisive Colorado State run. Dartmouth will look to rebound when it hosts Boston University on Saturday. Colorado State continues its homestand against Northern New Mexico on Sunday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Colorado State had a 98 percent probability to win the game. The Rams covered the pregame spread as an 18.5-point favorite. The total points scored, 131, went under the over/under line of 157.

Preview: Dartmouth Big Green at Colorado State Rams FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — The surging Colorado State Rams will look to continue their strong start to the season when they host the Dartmouth Big Green in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Moby Arena. The Rams (7-2) enter on a high note after a 91-86 victory over in-state rival Colorado last Saturday. Guard Josh Pascarelli led the way with 26 points, continuing a stretch of explosive scoring. Pascarelli is averaging 21.2 points over his last five games, including a 28-point performance in a win at South Florida on Nov. 28. Colorado State’s offense, averaging 83.2 points per game, will test a Dartmouth squad that has struggled defensively, allowing 80.4 points per contest. The Rams’ balance was evident against the Buffaloes, with forward Kyle Jorgensen adding 21 points. Dartmouth (3-4) is looking to rebound from a 93-80 road loss at Wyoming on Dec. 6. The Big Green have shown offensive firepower but consistency has been an issue, with all four losses coming by eight or more points. The visitor’s hopes will lean heavily on guard Kareem Thomas, who is in the midst of a stellar individual stretch. Thomas scored a career-high 27 points in the loss at Wyoming and is averaging 20.0 points per game on 50% shooting over his last six contests. Support comes from Connor Amundsen, who added 18 points against Wyoming. This matchup presents a clear contrast. Colorado State has established itself as a potent offensive unit with wins over Power Five opponents. Dartmouth, while capable of scoring in bursts, has yet to secure a road win against a Division I foe this season. The Rams are 5-0 at home, where they average 90.2 points per game. For Dartmouth, containing Pascarelli and slowing the Rams’ tempo will be critical. For Colorado State, avoiding a letdown after an emotional rivalry win is key as they prepare to enter Mountain West Conference play later this month. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Tuesday.