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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- Matt Nelson scored 31 points and Colorado State sank 11-of-15 free throws in overtime in defeating Wyoming 96-94 Saturday night.
Nelson was 12-for-17 shooting from the field in reaching double figures for the 24th consecutive game. He scored five points in the extra period for Colorado State (11-15, 3-10 Mountain West Conference). Matt Williams had 18 points for the Rams, who won for only the second time in 11 games.
The loss overshadowed Jay Straight's career-high 41-point performance for Wyoming (15-11, 7-6). Dion Sherrell added 17 points for the Cowboys, losers of three of the last four.
Straight tied it at 85-85 midway through overtime, but Williams, Nelson and Jason Smith scored for the Rams, putting them ahead 91-87 with 37 seconds left.
Sherrell's jumper with 18 seconds remaining closed the gap to 92-89, but Williams and Sean Morris hit two free throws each to seal the game.
Colorado State had come back from a 10-point deficit early in the second half to tie the game at 77-77 on Sean Morris' 3-pointer with 1:41 remaining. Michael Morris gave the Rams the lead with a steal and dunk with nine seconds left only to have Sherrell tie it with two free throws with 3.4 seconds left.
Alex Dunn, who had 11 points and 11 rebounds, had a chance to win the game for Wyoming in regulation, but his hook shot fell off the front of the iron as time expired.
The game was tied nine times with six lead changes in the first half. Sean Morris hit a 3-pointer with a second left to put Colorado State ahead 48-37 at halftime.
The 41 points by Straight were the most by a Wyoming player since Maurice Alexander scored 49 points against New Mexico on Feb. 9, 1991.
