Greg Smith had 19 points and eight rebounds for Colorado State (6-0). Wes Eikmeier and Dorian Green also had 16 points for the Rams, which is off to their best start since 2005-06. Colorado State extended its home winning streak to 17.

D.J. Balentine led Evansville (4-3) with a career-high 26 points. Colt Ryan added a season-high 20 and the Purple Aces had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Evansville made four 3-pointers in the last five minutes when the Purple Aces nearly erased an 18-point second half deficit.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)