Colorado State basketball player Josh Pascarelli shoots during a game against Omaha at Moby Arena on Nov. 9.Kevin Lytle, Fort Collins ColoradoanThu, November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM UTC·2 min readThe one key play proved elusive.
The Colorado State men’s basketball team lost 66-64 Nov. 26 to Virginia Tech in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.
The Rams (4-2) had a chance to tie or win in the final seconds after Virginia Tech (6-0) missed a free throw.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCSU’s Josh Pascarelli took the ball up and elected to shoot a would-be go-ahead 3-pointer. It just missed and time expired as players fought for the rebound.
It would have been quite a steal of a win for the Rams after trailing most the game. Virginia Tech led by as many as 12 at one point.
CSU entered the night No. 4 in the nation in 3-point shooting but the Rams were unable to hit from deep all night in playing in the converted ballroom arena in the Bahamas. Pascarelli hit a 3-pointer with 2:40 left in the game to pull CSU within one point for CSU's first 3-pointer of the second half.
The Rams shot 4-19 (21%) from deep for the game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVirginia Tech defended CSU tightly on the perimeter. The Rams adjusted by living inside, scoring 44 paint points.
The Hokies were able to make the key plays every time CSU looked like it might grab some control in the second half.
Ten times in the second half the Rams pulled within one possession but could never find the key bucket or stop to get back in the lead. There were two different sequences where CSU failed on a potential fastbreak only for Virginia Tech to then convert one at the other end.
Jailen Bedford scored 17 points to lead Virginia Tech. The Hokies shot 16 free throws compared to eight for CSU.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCarey Booth led CSU with 15 points, Rashaan Mbemba had 12 in his second game back from injury.
It's CSU's second loss in a row, but this will feel different than the previous. The last loss was a bad letdown performance to a poor Denver team. Virginia Tech entered the night No. 55 in KenPom and was favored in the game by five points. The Hokies have the look of a potential NCAA Tournament team.
CSU was far from perfect but was much scrappier defensively in this one and efficient scoring inside.
The Rams will be back at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 (on ESPNU) against the loser of Saint Mary's and Wichita State.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Virginia Tech holds off Colorado State to open Battle 4 Atlantis
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