Logan O'Brien / Loveland Reporter-Herald)
FORT COLLINS — Who says the NIT doesn't mean anything?
The Colorado State Rams said they were fired up to be chosen for college basketball's second-tier tournament, and they played like it in their first-round matchup against the College of Charleston.
After six lead changes in the first 16 minutes, fourth-seeded CSU used a 12-0 run late in the second half to take the lead for good and hold on for an 81-74 victory over the fifth-seeded Cougars on Tuesday night at Moby Arena.
The Rams advanced to face the winner of top-seeded Cal and No.