NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012, Murray State Vs. Colorado State Final Score: Rams' March Madness Ends After 1 Game

The No. 11 Colorado St. Rams are one and done in March Madness following its 58-41 loss to the No. 6 Murray St. Racers in Thursday's first game of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The Rams collapsed in the second half, scoring just two points in the first 10:30 of the second half. Turnovers were a huge issue for the Rams then, and they finished with 22 to Murray State's eight.

Pierce Hornung was really the only shining light for the Rams in this game, scoring 12 points and pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds, but the team was just 33.3 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from beyond the arc. Jesse Carr and Wes Eikmeier added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Isaiah Canaan led the Racers with 15 points, but he was just 4-of-13 from the field and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Donte Poole took an elbow to the face during the game, but he was able to finish with 13 points.

The Racers now wait for the winner of the No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles versus the No. 14 BYU Cougars.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stay with SB Nation's Selection Sunday StoryStream, and stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket, and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

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Murray State Vs. Colorado State Score: Rams Lead Racers At Halftime, 24-23

The No. 11 Colorado St. Rams and the No. 6 Murray St. Racers have played so far an extremely close and competitive game in the opening game of the 2012 NCAA Tournament's Round of 64. And it's looking good for the Rams at halftime with a 24-23 lead.

The Rams opened up with a 4-0 lead and then held a 13-8 lead before the Racers turned the game in their favor for a time. Colorado State's Pierce Hornung has been the driving force for the Rams with six points and 11 rebounds (six on the offensive glass). Wes Eikmeier leads the team with seven points. However, over the last 12 minutes of the quarter the team struggled for long stretches of time before a three by Jessie Carr had the Rams in the 24-23 lead.

Donte Poole leads the Racers with eight points while Isaiah Canaan has six points (and five rebounds). The Racers are hitting 34.6 percent of its shots, though the Rams aren't much better at 37.5 percent.

Can the Rams kick off the day with an upset victory?

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stay with SB Nation's Selection Sunday StoryStream, and stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket, and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

Colorado State Has Some Really Green Shoes For 2012 NCAA Tournament [PHOTO]

Greg Smith Injury: Rams Forward To Suit Up Against Murray State

Colorado State junior forward Greg Smith will suit up and play against Murray State in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament, according to Christopher Dempsey of the Denver Post. Smith missed the Mountain West Conference Tournament while recovering from an ankle sprain.

Rams coach Tim Miles expects Smith to play and be useful, though, even after an extended absence.

I think Greg will help us. I think he’ll be able to play. He’s definitely slowed by it, and Greg will tell you the last thing he wants to be is slower. But at the same time, he’ll be able to get on the floor and be productive for us, I hope.

As a junior, Smith has been one of the Rams' key players this season. Averaging 23 minutes per game, Smith is the third-leading scorer on the team at 9.7 points per game. He's developed into a solid long-range threat, making 40 percent of his three-pointers this season.

For more on March Madness at every level, visit SB Nation NCAA Basketball. Our 2012 NCAA Tournament hub has everything you need for the big one.

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NCAA Tournament 2012, Colorado State Vs. Murray State: Rams Need To Watch Out For Racers' Donte Poole

The No. 11 Colorado St. Rams open their 2012 NCAA Tournament on Thursday when they face the No. 6 Murray St. Racers. The Racers have one of the top scorers in the nation with Isaiah Canaan and his 19.2 points per game, but he won't be the only player the Rams will need to watch out for. In a piece written before the field for this year's tournament was announced, ESPN named Murray State's Donte Poole a possible Giant Killer:

You know about Canaan, but what about his backcourt buddy, Poole? He fuels the Racers' pressure D with 2.0 spg. The bigger question will be whether Poole and Murray State even get to flex their Giant Killers muscles, or whether they will be seeded too highly to qualify for a slingshot.

Poole averages 14.2 point per game this season, as well. If Poole, Canaan and the Racers do defeat the Rams in projected fashion, they could face the No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles in the next round and the No. 2 Missouri Tigers in the Sweet 16.

For more on March Madness at every level, visit SB Nation NCAA Basketball. Our 2012 NCAA Tournament hub has everything you need for the big one.

PHOTO: Tim Miles And His 'Timmy Boy' Sneakers

NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket Update: Colorado State Is No. 11, Will Face No. 6 Murray State In West Region

The Colorado St. Rams were a bubble team, but they had enough quality wins to enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed. They will face No. 6 Murray State.