Sports

Colorado State tops Missouri State in Shootout's late show

Colorado State thought it would be facing the nation's leading scorer Wednesday night at the Great Alaska Shootout. When the team learned that Missouri State would play without Marcus Marshall and his 26 points per game, Rams coach Larry Eustachy feared the worst.

"It's human nature. When the leading scorer in the nation scratches from the game, then the team he plays for wants to prove it can win without him," a weary-looking Eustachy said.

But Missouri State didn't win without Marshall, who sat out with a strained quad. Colorado State prevailed 76-61 to remain undefeated and advance to the Shootout's semifinal round, where it will face Pacific on Friday evening.

Eustachy looked weary because the game, the fourth of the day at the Alaska Airlines Center, tipped off at 10 p.m. and ended at 12:15 a.m. In Colorado, it was 2:15 a.m. In Missouri, it was 3:15 a.m.

"It's late," Eustachy said. "We wanna get to bed."

J.J. Avila racked up 21 points and 11 rebounds and John Gillon, who averaged 5.6 points and nine minutes in Colorado State's first three games, had a breakout game with 20 points in 25 minutes to lead the Rams. Both were 7 of 8 from the foul line, where the Rams flourished to the tune of 28 points.

Colorado State (4-0) never trailed. Missouri State (2-2) got to within five points, 40-35, midway through the second half, but Avila scored five points in a 7-0 run to help the Rams get some breathing room, and they never trailed by single digits again.

ADVERTISEMENT

Avila said it was a challenge to prepare for such a late game. The Rams had a short practice around noon and got back to their hotel at 1 p.m. "and we still had nine hours before the game," he said.

"I told all the guys ... just don't fall asleep, because you won't get up," Avila said. "You'll be awake, but you won't be up."

Both teams get a break on Thursday, when the tournament's first round continues with a game between Mercer and Rice at 5:30 p.m. and a game between Washington State and UC Santa Barbara at 8 p.m.

On Friday, Colorado State faces Pacific at 5:30 and Missouri State meets UAA at noon in a loser's bracket. Pacific defeated UAA 71-62 in the tournament's opening game.

Marshall, a 6-3 junior who missed most of last season with a knee injury, is reportedly day to day. In his absence Wednesday, Dorrian Williams had a team-high 16 points, Tyler McCullough netted 12 and Shawn Roundtree scored 10.

COLORADO STATE 76, MISSOURI STATE 61

MISSOURI STATE (61) -- Thompson 0-1 0-0 0, Boone 0-1 2-4 2, Kendrix 3-5 2-2 8, Ruder 3-15 0-0 8, Williams 7-14 0-0 16, Gerring 0-5 0-0 0, Maes 0-0 0-0 0, Thurman 0-0 0-0 0, Roundtree 2-7 4-6 10, Kirk 2-4 1-2 5, McCullough 4-4 4-5 12. Totals 21-56 13-19 61.

COLORADO STATE (76) -- Kidd 0-7 6-6 6, Daniels 2-2 0-3 4, Avila 7-14 7-8 21, Bejarano 2-9 0-0 6, De Ciman 3-9 2-2 10, Scott 0-1 0-0 0, Clavell 1-3 6-6 9, Gillon 5-7 7-8 20, Hurst 0-1 0-0 0, Holt 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-53 28-33 76.

Missouri State 19 42 -- 61

Colorado State 29 47 -- 76

3-point goals -- Missouri State 6-24 (Kendrix 0-1, Ruder 2-10, Williams 2-6, Gerring 0-2, Roundtree 2-5), Colorado State 8-20 (Kidd 0-3, Avila 0-2, Bejarano 2-4, De Ciman 2-4, Scott 0-1, Clavell 1-2, Gillon 3-4). Rebounds -- MSU 32 (Williams 7), CSU 38 (Avila 11). Total fouls -- MSU 23, CSU 17. Fouled out -- Kirk. Assists -- MSU 14 (Williams 4), CSU 13 (Avila 4, Bejarano 4). Turnovers -- MSU 12 (Kendrix 3), CSU 8 (Kidd 2, Avila 2). Blocks -- MSU 4 (Kendrix 2, McCullough 2), CSU 3. Steals -- MSU 4 (McCullough 2), CSU 3. Officials -- Holland, Spitznagel, Watts. A -- 3,233.

ADVERTISEMENT