Another double-digit seed has pulled off an upset in the NCAA men’s tournament. This time it was Colorado State taking down Memphis 78-70 Friday in their first-round game in Memphis.
Most of the first half was back-and-forth, with the Tigers going to the break ahead 36-31. The Rams, who made the field by winning their last 10 games including the Mountain West tournament, used an 16-4 run midway through the second half to take the lead they’d hold onto the rest of the way.
Nique Clifford has been the star for Colorado State, but the senior guard didn’t have his best day shooting. Luckily, he got some help from sophomore guard Kyan Evans, who made six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 23 points.
Memphis was carried by Dain Dainja and Colby Rogers in the first half with 27 combined points, but neither player was able to sustain the success in the second half. The Tigers shot under 35% in the second half.
Colorado State is the fourth team seed No. 10 or higher to win in the first round following victories by No. 12 McNeese State, No. 11 Drake and No. 10 Arkansas on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness Colorado State tops Memphis in men’s NCAA Tournament
