CHADRON, Neb. (January 3, 2015) – Adams State University began on the wrong end of a 14-2 run but resiliently clawed back into the contest to win 80-66 in a game of extremes against Chadron State College from the Chicoine Center on Saturday night.  

Blunders by ASU in the opening minutes pushed the Eagles out to their largest lead of the game before any signs of progress developed offensively for the Grizzlies. It was not until the 14:42 mark in the opening frame that Adams State collected their first made shot from the field in the form of a three-pointer from Justin Kauffman.  It was a sign of things to come as the 6-foot-2 senior guard put on a show and finished the night with a 6-of-8 shooting performance from beyond the arc.

By the midway point of the first half ASU cut the Chadron State lead to four at 20-16 but the Eagles quickly built their lead back to double digits soon after. Kauffman added another pair of threes before halftime which led the Grizzlies to eventually obtaining a 36-35 lead at the break.

Using that momentum ASU built their lead to six in the second half but the Eagles came back to tie the game after a pair of threes by Justyn Anderson on back-to-back possessions for Chadron State. The game seesawed back-and-forth until Juwan Buchanan and Kauffman took over as the duo combined to score 15 unanswered points to give ASU a 67-52 lead during a four minute span. During the run, Buchanan went 3-of-3 from the field with a pair of free throws while Kauffman went 2-of-2 from downtown along with a free throw.

The offensive firepower by Kauffman and Buchanan proved to be the difference as the Grizzlies wrap up a perfect 2-0 record in conference play for the week.

Kauffman led all players with 21 points off the aforementioned 6-of-8 shooting display from three. Buchanan added 18 points while shooting 8-of-12 along with seven rebounds in only 15 minutes of action. Shakir Smith contributed 15 points, five steals, and two assists.

The Grizzlies shot 50 percent (28-55) from the floor and grabbed 15 steals. Adams State also held a 34-14 edge in points in the paint and a 27-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

Kendrick Holliman scored 20 points to lead Chadron State in a losing effort.   

Adams State now returns to Plachy Hall on Jan. 9 against Western New Mexico University at 7:30 p.m. The team will then turn around for a meeting with New Mexico Highlands University the following day.