It looked like the Aztecs were going to narrowly escape Moby Arena with a win, until Colorado State’s Emmanuel Omogbo sank an off-balance, hard-earned 3-pointer with four seconds left to give the Rams a 56-55 victory over San Diego State on Saturday night.
Omogbo - who finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds - sank the winning shot after San Diego State went up 55-53 with 23 seconds left.
Final: Rams win a thriller 56-55 & fans storm the court pic.twitter.com/jI4wyQYGCD
— Justin Michael (@JustinTMichael) February 26, 2017
The win places the Rams (20-9, 12-4) in a tie with Nevada for first place in the Mountain West Conference standings. he Aztecs (16-12, 8-8) now fall to sixth place.
Gian Clavell came alive during the second half with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Rams and Prentiss Nixon had 10 points.
The Aztecs blew another sizeable lead to give this game up to the Rams. Colorado State trailed 33-21 at the break and through most of the second half. Clavell hit a 3-pointer and a jumper back-to-back to even it up at 52 with 3:07 to go.
San Diego State went ahead 55-53 on a Dakarai Allen free throw with 23 seconds left, before Omogbo sank his 3-pointer along with the Aztecs’ hopes.
Aztecs difference maker Trey Kell fouled out during after making 10 points, three boards, two assists and two steals in the fourth quarter, and Dakariai Allen scored 12 points and grabbed eight boards, along with two assists and a blocked shot for the Aztecs.
The Aztecs play Air Force on Wednesday, March 1, v 7 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network.