ALAMOSA, Colo. (January 2, 2016) – Everything came down to the final minutes but it was Adams State University who held on for a thrilling 79-75 victory over the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
The Grizzlies (5-7, 4-3 RMAC) controlled a 10-point lead (66-56) with 6:52 remaining in regulation but the Mountain Lions climbed back to take a brief lead in the minutes that followed. After a pair of UCCS free throws to give the Mountain Lions a 67-66 lead,
Shakir Smith retaliated with six consecutive ASU points. Smith's efforts aided ASU to hold the lead as
EJ Hubbard II drained two free throws in the final minute to cement the win.
Adams State left UCCS playing catch-up for the majority of the game despite the Mountain Lions (7-7, 4-3 RMAC) dominating down low to the tune of a 56-29 rebounding edge. However, UCCS committed 22 turnovers –15 in the first half – which translated into 27 ASU points off turnovers.
Smith's performance in the closing minutes led the Grizzlies to a win as the senior tallied 18 points, 8 assists, and 6 steals. Hubbard II,
Joe Bell Austin, and
DJ Morgan added 19, 14, and 10 points respectively.
Alex Welsh had a game-high 26 points and 15 rebounds for UCCS as Dalton Patten also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kendall Godley added 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Next for ASU are back-to-back weekends of RMAC road games beginning with a January 8
th meeting at Colorado Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm from Lakewood.
