ALAMOSA, Colo. (December 2^nd, 2016) --- The Adams State University women's basketball team opened conference play tonight at home against New Mexico Highlands University. Despite a strong showing in the 1^st, the Cowgirls prevailed over the Grizzlies 77-62.
 
The Grizzlies closed the 1^st quarter with a 17-13 lead. They outrebounded the Cowgirls 9-8 and also knocked down 2 three pointers. Maddy Merschel recorded 6 points in the quarter.
 
In the 2^nd, New Mexico Highlands went on a 17-4 run and took a 30-21 lead midway through the quarter. The Cowgirl's lead would get as high as 11 before DeShea Wilkes hit a jumper to cut the lead to 9 right before the half. NMHU shot 3-5 from downtown in the 2^nd and shot 50% from the field. The Grizzlies shot 11-12 from the free throw line at the half.
 
A few minutes into the 3^rd, Shania Ratliff ended a fast break with a layup to put the Cowgirls up by 14. Ratliff would continue to be a thorn in the Grizzlies' side after hitting 2 more 3's in the quarter to increase the NMHU lead to 17. A Lejla Hadzialijagic layup would cut the deficit back to 15 to close out the 3^rd quarter.
 
Down 52-37 to start the 4^th, Coach Larry Joe Hunt started having the Grizzlies press the opposition. The press created a few opportunities, though the Cowgirls often found a way to get through it and get some easy scores. The closest the Grizzlies would get for the rest of the night was 11. The game would end with a frenzy of fouls as the Cowgirls notched their last 2 free throws with a few seconds left. The final tick ended with a 62-77 loss to start conference play.
 
Freshman, Brianna Reyna shined tonight with a career high, 16 points. Reyna also recorded 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Maddy Merschel added 13 points and 5 rebounds as well. The Grizzlies shot a solid 87.5% from the charity stripe. Highland's Shania Ratliff and Ari Baca combined for 38 points and 9 rebounds.
 
Coach Hunt had this to say: "I thought we played hard but we have to play smarter. We shot ourselves out of the game in the 2^nd quarter."
 
The Grizzlies are back in action tomorrow night against No. 12 ranked CSU-Pueblo. Tip-off is set for 5:30pm in Plachy Hall.   
  
For all future updates, log on to www.asugrizzlies.com