PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (Interstat) — In a commanding performance at the 2025-26 Battle 4 Atlantis, the Colorado State Rams used a dominant second half to pull away from the South Florida Bulls for an 83-68 victory in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday.

Playing before an intimate crowd of 371 at the Imperial Arena, the Rams improved to 6-2 on the young season, while the Bulls evened their record at 4-4.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Colorado State establishing a modest 33-29 lead by halftime before erupting for 50 points after the break. South Florida, conversely, could not find a consistent offensive rhythm, scoring 39 in the second half as the Rams steadily built an insurmountable advantage.

Colorado State’s offense was fueled by a spectacular shooting performance from guard Josh Pascarelli. The junior from Cambria Heights, New York, was nearly unstoppable, pouring in a game-high 28 points on a series of clutch three-pointers and driving layups. His scoring outburst provided the primary offensive engine for the Rams throughout the contest.

While Pascarelli handled the bulk of the scoring, the Rams’ offense flowed through the deft playmaking of Jevin Muniz. The 6-foot-6 guard from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, orchestrated the attack masterfully, dishing out 10 assists while adding 7 points, 6 rebounds and a block. His command of the game ensured the Rams capitalized on their offensive possessions, especially during their decisive second-half run.

Providing a crucial interior presence was forward Carey Booth. The 6-foot-10 sophomore from Englewood, Colorado, recorded a stat line of 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. His ability to score inside and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting gave the Bulls’ defense a persistent challenge.

For South Florida, guard Wes Enis led the scoring charge with 17 points, but his efficiency was hampered by a difficult shooting afternoon from beyond the arc. The Bulls found a spark off the bench from Adriel Nyorha. The guard from Ottawa, Canada, made the most of his 17 minutes of action, contributing 14 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, often creating opportunities for his teammates in the paint.

South Florida’s frontcourt saw solid contributions from Daimion Collins and Izaiyah Nelson. Collins, a 6-foot-9 forward from Atlanta, Texas, scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, while Nelson, from Marietta, Georgia, nearly secured a double-double with 8 points and 8 rebounds.

Despite the Bulls holding a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint and a narrow 19-15 edge in points off turnovers, they were unable to contain Colorado State’s explosive perimeter attack. The Rams’ ball movement, spearheaded by Muniz’s 10 assists, consistently generated high-percentage looks, particularly for Pascarelli.

The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the opening minutes of the second half. Colorado State came out of the locker room on a 13-4 run, capped by a string of three-pointers from Pascarelli that stretched the lead to 46-33. South Florida attempted to respond, but every Bulls basket was met with an answering score from the Rams, who maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the half.

A key sequence midway through the second half effectively sealed the victory. After a South Florida turnover, Jase Butler, a reserve guard from San Anselmo, California, connected on a corner three-pointer off a feed from Muniz, pushing the lead to 61-50. Butler provided a valuable offensive lift off the bench, finishing with 11 points.

South Florida’s efforts to mount a late comeback were stymied by Colorado State’s steady execution in the final minutes, with the Rams converting free throws to keep the game out of reach.

The Rams’ victory continues their strong start to the season, which includes a win over Wichita State in their previous game at this tournament. South Florida, coming off an overtime victory against Western Kentucky, was unable to build on that momentum.

Both teams now look ahead to their upcoming schedules. Colorado State returns home to face in-state rival Colorado on Dec. 6, while South Florida will host Utah State on Dec. 4.