The Colorado State men's basketball team got their first preseason test of the 2017-18 season and came out with an 86-75 win over a determined Colorado Mesa squad, Nov. 3.After a one-point game at 18-17 midway through the first half, CSU gained some breathing space by finishing the period on a 30-16 run to lead 48-33 at the halftime break. The Rams got it to as high as 23, but the Mavericks cut the margin to nine on three occasions in the final 10 minutes but could get no closer.CSU shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) from the field in the game but was just 6-of-24 (25.0 percent) from the three-point arc. Colorado Mesa was 27-of-61 from the floor (44.3 percent) and hit 13-of-36 (36.1 percent) from the three. The Rams were solid at the charity stripe, converting 28 of 39 attempts (71.8 percent) as compared to CMU's 8-of-13 (61.5 percent). Colorado State outrebounded CMU, 46-32.Senior forwardled the CSU effort with 28 points and 13 rebounds, including making 14-of-18 at the free throw line. Redshirt-sophomore centeralso had a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Junior guardhad 16 points, 12 coming in the second half, while junior guardand redshirt-sophomore guardchipped in 12 and 10, respectively. Colorado Mesa was led by Emilio Acedo with a game-high 31 points, including 9-of-11 from three-point range.(on tonight's game)"I thought we had moments where we really played well, particularly defensively. I thought we got tired. We're where we should be, but I just think this team has so much room for improvement in the next three or four months, particularly with the new guys. I'm encouraged, I told the team, this one's on me. They need to be pushed harder."(on his first game back since last December)"Yes, for sure. It was a long four-five months through the second half of the season. I was waiting a long time for this game."(on his role with the team in the early going)" I feel very comfortable; the team make me feel comfortable so I just do what they need me to do."The Rams finished with 16 second-chance compared to Colorado Mesa's 0.• All 10 players available for the Rams played in the exhibition game.• All five of Colorado State's starters finished with 10 points or more• The Rams finished with 14 offensive rebounds while giving up just five to the Mavericks.The Rams will host in-state rival Northern Colorado on Sun., Nov. 5 in the final exhibition game. Tip is set for 5 p.m. for this charity game, with all seats general admission and priced at $5 each. All proceeds will benefit Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery effort, the home of former Ram and current Dallas Mavericks guard