March Madness 2025: Colorado State Upsets Memphis in Thrilling First-Round Clash

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March Madness 2025: Colorado State Upsets Memphis in Thrilling First-Round Clash

In a thrilling first-round matchup of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the No. 12 seed Colorado State Rams upset the No. 5 seed Memphis Tigers with a final score of 78-70, advancing to the second round.ESPN.com+1The Indianapolis Star+1

Game Highlights

Kyan Evans’ Stellar Performance: Sophomore point guard Kyan Evans delivered a career-high 21 points, including a crucial three-pointer that extended CSU’s lead to 64-54 with 8:29 remaining.
Second-Half Surge: The Rams initiated a pivotal 7-0 run, transforming a 48-45 deficit into a 52-48 lead with 13:20 left, shifting the game’s momentum in their favor.
Memphis’ Early Dominance: The Tigers led 36-31 at halftime, propelled by Dain Dainja’s 15 points and five rebounds. Memphis also dominated the paint, outscoring CSU 20-8 and securing a 22-12 rebounding advantage in the first half. FOX Sports

Foul Troubles

Both teams faced significant foul issues:

Memphis: PJ Carter and Nicholas Jourdain each accumulated three fouls, impacting their defensive strategies.

Colorado State: Rashaan Mbemba and Nikola Djapa also had three fouls apiece, challenging CSU’s interior defense against Memphis’ strong post players.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Colorado State advances to the second round, where they will face the winner of the matchup between No. 4 seed Baylor and No. 13 seed Mississippi State. The Rams aim to continue their impressive tournament run, building on their strong performance against Memphis.

This win underscores the unpredictable excitement of March Madness, as lower-seeded teams like Colorado State demonstrate their potential to challenge traditional powerhouses.New York Post

Colorado State Rams Upset Memphis Tigers in NCAA Tournament First Round