Tim Nwachukwu / NCAA Photos)
The Colorado State women's basketball team is back in the Mountain West tournament semifinals for the third consecutive year.
The fifth-seeded Rams exploded for 45 points in the second half to pull away for a 71-55 win over fourth-seeded Fresno State in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. CSU advances to face top-seeded Boise State after the Broncos beat No. 8 Air Force earlier in the day.
Boise State beat CSU 65-61 in the MW semifinals last year.
Colorado State outscored Fresno State 21-11 in the third quarter to create some separation after the two teams were tied after the first quarter and at halftime.