SAN DIEGO — John Tonje scored 11 points, and his four-point play with 12.3 seconds left helped carry Colorado State to a 70-67 win over San Diego State on Saturday after the Rams overcame a 26-point deficit.
It is the largest comeback win in Division I men’s basketball this season and one of just five road comebacks of 26 points or more in a game between Division I opponents over the past 10 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Tonje buried the 3 and drew a foul on Jordan Schakel to give the Rams a 68-67 lead. Matt Mitchell missed a jumper for San Diego State with three seconds remaining, and Kendle Moore made two free throws to finish it as CSU scored the last 11 points of the game.
The Rams had a 14-0 run earlier in the second half and a 19-0 run in the first half.
The Aztecs led 36-10 led when Terrell Gomez made a 3-pointer with 8:15 left before halftime. The Rams (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West Conference) proceeded to outscore San Diego State 23-4 to narrow their deficit to 40-33 at halftime.
The comeback is the largest in school and conference history. The Aztecs missed 16 foul shots (14-for-30).
Colorado State just came back from 26 points down to win at San Diego State. It is the largest comeback win in D-I this season and 1 of just 5 road comebacks of 26+ points in D-I vs D-I games over the last 10 seasons.
It is also the largest comeback win in Mountain West history. pic.twitter.com/EYaPhRKe6m
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 3, 2021
David Roddy recorded his third consecutive double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds for CSU.
Gomez had 19 points for the Aztecs (6-2, 0-1).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.