Playing in his first game in since March of 2013, Colorado State men’s basketball senior forward Stanton Kidd didn’t waste any time in showing the Moby Arena faithful why he was has been widely regarded as one of the top transfer additions in the country entering the 2014-15 season.
Kidd, who had to sit out the 2013-14 campaign per NCAA rules after transferring to CSU from North Carolina Central University, officially burst onto the scene last Friday, when he poured in a game-high 19 points including a career-best three daggers from three-point range. The performance led the Rams to an 83-66 victory over the Montana Grizzles in the season opener at Moby. The performance earned Kidd the Warren Federal Credit Union Athlete of the Week.
The native of Baltimore, Md., was incredibly efficient on the offensive end of the floor. He connected on 6-of-8 shots from the field, including 3-for-4 from long distance, and also knocked down 4-of-5 attempts from the free-throw line, helping the Rams build a lead that reached as many as 27 points in the first half.
Kidd, a liberal arts major with a minor in sociology, was one of five Rams to score in double figures in the contest, along with senior guard Daniel Bejarano (15 points), junior guard Gian Clavell (13), sophomore guard John Gillon (11) and senior forward J.J. Avila (10).
The win marked the 34th consecutive home-opening victory for the Rams at Moby Arena, which has become one of the most effective homecourt advantages in the Mountain West. Under head coach Larry Eustachy, now in his third season at the helm of the program, CSU has compiled a record of 31-7 (.816) at Moby Arena.
Kidd, and the Rams are back in action twice this weekend, before heading to compete in the GCI Great Alaska Shootout over the Thanksgiving break. On Friday evening, CSU hosts defending Sun Belt Conference champion Georgia State (7 p.m. tipoff), and on Sunday, the Rams are back in action against 2014 NCAA tournament Cinderella story, Mercer (6 p.m.). Sunday’s game is part of a day-night hoops double-header with the defending Mountain West champion CSU women’s basketball team, which hosts Illinois State at noon.
For more information on Colorado State Athletics, visit CSURams.com
