Marcus Walker had the best performance in the history of the Top of the World Classic
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Colorado State Defeats Tennessee State, 87-68

Rams advance to title game at Top of the World Classic

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Marcus Walker set a tournament record with 43 points as Colorado State defeated Tennessee State 87-68 Saturday in the BP Top of the World Classic.

Walker, a 6-foot junior college transfer from Indian Hill Community College, shot 15-for-18 from the field, mixing up drives and long jumpers. He also had a game-high four steals.

Walker opened the game with a 3-pointer from 5 feet beyond the arc and scored 20 points in the first half, pacing the Rams (2-1) to a 39-28 lead.

In the second half, Tennessee State (2-2) closed to 59-53 with 8:42 remaining, but Colorado State pushed the lead to 73-58 on a 14-5 scoring run, with Walker scoring five.

Walker was 5-for-8 from beyond the 3-point arc and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. His 43 points were the third-highest total in Colorado State history and the first time in 31 years that a Ram had scored 40 or more.

Andre McFarland added 11 points for the Rams and Willis Gardner had nine assists.

Bruce Price scored 18 points for the Tigers. Dontrell Taylor scored 16 points, and Darius Cox pulled down eight rebounds.