The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Rachel Dembrun Andy Ogide (32) and Mame Bocar Ba (44) battle to block Ceylon Elgin-Taylor's (5) shot attempt. The Rams defeated the Montana Grizzlies at Moby Arena, on Friday night 85-55.

Last year the Montana Grizzlies drubbed the CSU men's basketball team 75-39.

This season the score was equally as lopsided, 85-55, but there was a catch: The score was in the Rams favor.

Oh, what a difference a year can make, as it was the Rams dominated the Grizz, never trailing in the season opener.

"New lineups, new season, we expect different result," said CSU Head Coach Tim Miles.

"At the end of the day I thought the kids guarded very well for maybe the opening 30 minutes."

While there were many differences between the two games, none was more evident than the new talent Miles injected into the Rams lineup, especially from CSU forward Andy Odige, who dominated inside with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Odige had to sit out last season after transferring from Ole Miss, and he was thrilled just to contribute after watching the Rams go 7-25 last season.

"It's been a long time coming. I wanted to play so bad last year. I had to sit out and watch us struggle the whole season. It is just nice to get out there and have a chance to help," said Ogide, whose performance caused the Grizzlies to get a little chippy.

"I took a couple of 'em (cheap shots). That is just part of the game. They were getting pretty mad because I was talking to them a little bit, so I don't blame 'em," said the sophomore.

While Ogide's dominance may have been a surprise to some, it wasn't to his teammates and coaches.

"I said earlier in the year in an interview that Andy could be our leading scorer and one of the best players in our conference," said Marcus Walker, who was often the Rams lone scoring threat last season. "I'm ready to take a role and let somebody else step up. It's just about the team."

"When Andy is aggressive in the paint he can be a beast. He plays like that sometimes, but tonight, with the lights on, he really went after it," said Miles.

The Rams jumped out to a 39-20 lead at the half, something that may have even shocked them after last season.

Continued...

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