12-seed Colorado State topples Memphis to extend win streak

Kyan Evans scored a game-high 23 points with six 3-pointers as 12-seed Colorado State increased its winning streak to 11 games with a 78-70 victory over fifth-seed Memphis in an NCAA Tournament West Region first-round game Friday at Seattle.

Nique Clifford added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Rams (26-9), which advanced to a second-round matchup Sunday against either Maryland or Grand Canyon.

Jalen Lake also chipped in 14 points for Colorado State and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson tallied 12.

Colorado State went 11 of 30 from 3-point range and limited one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country to 6 of 23 from behind the arc. The Rams also forced 16 turnovers to help overcome Memphis' 41-34 rebounding advantage. Colorado State had 16 offensive rebounds.

Dain Dainja scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Tigers (29-6), who were eliminated in the first round for the second time in three seasons. Colby Rogers and PJ Haggerty each added 18 points. Haggerty, who averaged 21.8 points per game, made just 7 of 23 shots.

The Rams took charge midway through the second half with a 19-6 burst that saw Evans contribute a pair of 3-pointers, the last one making it 64-54 with 8:38 remaining. Memphis never got within six points the rest of the way.

Tyrese Hunter (foot) and Dante Harris (ankle) were out for Memphis with Baraka Okojie getting his second start. The Tigers were able to overcome a slow start and control most of the final five minutes before halftime.

Colorado State opened a 15-9 lead when Evans drilled a 3-pointer but Memphis answered with eight straight points. The teams went back and forth until Crocker-Johnson hit a jumper to give Colorado State a 28-25 edge with 5:02 left.

Dainja's jumper on the Tigers' next possession initiated an 11-3 run to close the half. The Rams didn't hit a field goal in that span and trailed 36-31 at halftime.

--Field Level Media