March 3, 2003
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Matt Nelson scored 30 points, 21 in the second period, and Colorado State ended a seven-game losing streak with a 102-89 victory over San Diego State on Monday night.
Nelson was 5-for-5 shooting and 7-of-9 from the free throw line in the second half. Brian Greene added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Colorado State (15-12, 4-8 Mountain West)
Tony Bland had 25 points for San Diego State (15-11, 6-7).
Colorado State led by as much as 59-37 early in the second half, but the Aztecs narrowed the deficit to 73-59 on two free throws by Evan Burns with 9:10 left. The Rams regained and kept a 15-point lead, going to Nelson in five consecutive possessions.
Bland hit a basket and a free throw after a 3-pointer with 1:03 left to get the Aztecs to within 96-87. The Rams finished them with Ronnie Clark's dunk and free throw and two more free throws by Greene.
Colorado State led 52-36 at the half after a 3-pointer and breakaway layup by Derrick Stevens and 66 percent shooting.
Stevens capped an 8-0 run with a 3-pointer early in the game to put the Rams up 22-15 before Bland scored nine points over a three-minute stretch to narrow the lead to 31-26.
The Rams last won on Feb. 1, beating the Aztecs in San Diego.