FORT COLLINS — J.J. Avila scored 29 points, including a defended running jumper in the lane in the closing moments, and Colorado State held off San Diego State 79-73.

In front of a sellout crowd at Moby Arena, the Rams (18-2, 5-2 in Mountain West) started hot, hitting their first six 3-point attempts on the way to a 27-10 lead.

San Diego State battled back behind the stellar play (15-5, 5-2) of 6-foot-8 freshman Malik Pope, who scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range.