ALAMOSA, Colo. (December 2, 2016) – Conference action returned in full force as Adams State University earned an 85-72 victory over New Mexico Highlands University on Friday night from Plachy Hall Gym.

The RMAC tilt was a physical one that resulted in 53 combined fouls but the Grizzlies (4-3, 1-0 RMAC) pulled ahead thanks to another exceptional shooting night. Against the Cowboys (2-3, 0-1 RMAC), Adams State shot 50.9 percent (27-53) to mark their fifth consecutive game of shooting  50 percent, or better, from the field.

Brandon Pasker recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds as Brandon Sly and Shane Johnson each chipped in 19 points.

The Grizzlies once again saw contributions from all 10 players who entered the contest. The depth resulted in a 28-21 ASU edge in bench scoring.

ASU's conference opener started off sluggish as it took the Grizzlies over three minutes to get on the scoreboard via a Johnson layup. The Cowboys sank a three-pointer on the possession that followed to place ASU in a 7-2 hole which would serve as the Grizzlies' biggest deficit of the night.

Moving forward ASU regained traction to take their first lead at 14-13 midway through the opening stanza. After the lead swapped back-and-forth in the minutes that followed but the Grizzlies eventually pulled ahead to take a 42-32 lead into halftime.

The Grizzlies maintained their double digit lead for most of the second period although the Cowboys did their best to make things interesting towards the end. Physical play in the final minutes resulted in four technical fouls and a brief stoppage of play. Despite the late altercation it did not affect the outcome as the Grizzlies held on for their first RMAC win of the season.

The Grizzlies remain at home on Saturday against Colorado State University-Pueblo. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.