ALAMOSA, Colo. (December 21, 2014)—The Adams State University Grizzlies women's basketball team lost this afternoon in their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) contest against the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks by a 75-58 score. The Grizzlies were unable to translate last night's success into a victory today and in result now fall to 1-7 on the season, 1-2 in RMAC play. Colorado Mesa on the contrary improves to 7-2 on the season, 4-1 in RMAC play with tonight's results.

At the tip off, all indications pointed in the direction that the Grizzlies were in control of the matchup early. ASU built up a ten point lead and were upset minded against a CMU squad that received votes in the USA Today's Coaches Poll earlier this week. However Maverick guard Erin Reichle powered her squad to erase the deficit by showing a strong offensive performance in the first half. Reichle scored 13 points off of 4-8 shooting and shot 4-6 from beyond the 3-point line. Entering halftime, the Grizzlies held onto a narrow 33-31 led over the visitors.

In the first half, the Grizzlies were led offensively by senior Desiree Anderson and sophomore Emily Klint. Anderson scored eight points, shooting 1-7 from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line in the first part of regulation. Klint tallied seven points off of 2-3 shooting from the field and shot 2-3 from the charity stripe. The Grizzlies played an aggressive style of defense in today's game, and 22 of their 33 points scored in the first half came on behalf of turnovers. Adding the component of their bench contributing points combined with the turnovers generated, gave Head Coach Larry Hunt and the Grizzlies a correct formula of attack to expose the Maverick game plan. However when CMU was given the opportunity to shoot the ball, they were able to sink buckets at 50% efficiency rate. In comparison the Grizzlies shot at an effective 42.4 % from the field.

In the second part of regulation, Reichle and Colorado Mesa used the momentum they discovered in the waning minutes of the first half to recapture the lead from the Grizzlies. CMU exploded on a 24-9 run in the first ten minutes of the second half and immediately dictated the flow of the game once the whistle blew. Shanna Halalilo and Leanndra Gilbert got hot offensively and assisted Reichle by contributing 21 points combined in the second half. The trio of players mentioned scored 35 of the 44 points the Mavericks scored to finish the game.

Offensively, ASU's Anderson led the team with 15 points scored. She finished the night shooting 4-15 from the field, 1-5 from 3-ptrs, and going 6-8 from the free throw line. Anderson also posted two defensive rebounds along with two steals. Mariah Gonzales also chipped in 11 points for the Grizzlies. For the game, the Grizzlies were outshot statistically by the visiting Mavericks. The Mavericks shot at 60% rate compared to 35.2 % of the Grizzlies.

Adams State University now will take an extended break from action due to the holidays. They will resume action on Jan. 2 and will travel to square off against RMAC member Black Hills Statute University. On Jan. 3, ASU will travel to Chadron, Nebraska to combat RMAC participant, the Chadron State College Eagles. Both games are slotted for a 5:30 p.m. MST tip off.