Colorado State men's hoops did something not many CSU teams have done before, winning at The Pit. The Rams led wire-to-wire in an 82-74 win over New Mexico to extend their win streak to eight games.

How It Happened
Colorado State jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead thanks to Carey Booth with a tough fadeaway and wide open dunk to set the tone. The hosts didn't let the Rams run away that fast, but a 7-0 run in the middle of the first half grew the lead to eight. Augustinas Kiudulas fueled the run with four of the seven points. It wouldn't be the last time he played a key role in the game.

Known for his physicality and inside game, Rashaan Mbemba was left open on the outside by the Lobos and he made them pay. The junior made a career-high three 3s in the first half. That momentum and an 8-0 run to close it out had CSU up by 15 at the break.

The lead grew to 19 with 14 minutes left in the second half, but UNM kept battling back. A 9-1 run made it a nine-point game with 7:34 left when Kiudulas stepped up big again. The Lithuanian silenced the 14,000 fans inside The Pit with a wing 3 as time expired on the shot clock to move the lead back to double figures.
While New Mexico cut the lead to six later on, the three from Kiudulas stifled UNM's momentum.

The Rams sealed the team's first win in The Pit since 2022 with strong defense and converting at the free throw line.

Game Notes
- Ali Farokhmanesh becomes the third coach in program history to win 20 games in his first season as a head coach, joining Larry Eustachy (26, 2012-13) and Boyd Grant (22, 1987-88).
- The 20-win season is the third straight for CSU and sixth in seven years, the best stretch in program history.  
- Tonight's win was the fifth on the road in conference play for CSU, tying for the fourth most in the program's Mountain West history with the 2014-15 team.
- The Rams offense stayed hot shooting 58.5% from the field. CSU made 11-of-25 threes (44.0%).
- For the third straight game, CSU had five double-figure scorers.
- Kyle Jorgensen led the team with 19 points. He matched his career-high in 3s with five.
- Carey Booth and Brandon Rechsteiner each scored 13 points, while Jase Butler and Kiudulas had 11, respectively.
- Jevin Muniz had another strong game setting up his teammates with seven assists.
- Colorado State finished the game with 19 assists on 24 made shots.

What's Ahead
The Rams wrap up the regular season on Saturday, hosting Boise State at 2 p.m. for Senior Day.