ALAMOSA, Colo. (January 31, 2015) – It's a low percentage shot that often misses but Shakir Smith's half-court heave to end the first half fell through the nylon to give Adams State University a 34-32 halftime lead over Fort Lewis College. Smith's buzzer-beater not only gave ASU momentum but a lead they would not relinquish as the Grizzlies picked up steam after halftime for a 77-69 win over the Skyhawks from Plachy Hall on Saturday night.
 
The win improves Adams State to 12-6 overall and 8-6 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) games. FLC falls to 15-5, 10-4 RMAC.
 
It was a bleak start for ASU who opened the conference tilt on the wrong side of a 14-5 score. The early deficit drizzled down to one in the final minutes of the half and was capped off by Smith's three-pointer at the buzzer. Offensively, FLC held the edge in the opening stanza by shooting 40 percent (11-27) opposed to ASU's 29 percent (11-37) mark.
 
The Grizzlies ignited in the final 20 minutes with a 55 percent shooting clip (15-27) led by Smith and Michael Middlebrooks. In the second half alone, Middlebrooks tallied 10 points off 5-5 shooting along with five rebounds and three crucial blocks down the stretch.
 
Although the game was tied seven times in the second half, the Grizzlies never trailed and eventually opened up to a double digit lead after a Mikey Hope three-pointer with 8:53 remaining. The Skyhawks narrowed it to four points with a Lucas Archuleta three but the Grizzlies promptly closed the game on a 9-5 run to secure the victory.
 
Smith had a team-best 22 points along with three assists and two steals as Middlebrooks added 12 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, and one steal. Hope and Mike Hemsley each contributed 12 points. Hemsley finished with nine rebounds (five offensive) to lead the Grizzlies in that statistic.
 
Alex Herrera paced the Skyhawks with 22 points and 19 rebounds in the loss.
 
Next for Adams State is a Feb. 6 road meeting with New Mexico Highlands University.