LAS VEGAS, NM (February 18, 2016)- Despite the Grizzlies having four players post double-digit margins offensively, the Adams State University basketball team lost Saturday evening against the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls by a 70-59 score.
 
Adams State (3-21, 2-19 RMAC) were paced offensively by freshman forward Lauren McDonald. The Salida native posted a career-best 16 points in Saturday's affair, shooting 3-11 from the field with a 10-13 from behind the charity stripe. Freshman guard Arianna Barnes added 13 points onto the scoreboard from 3-4 shooting and a 7-10 mark from the free throw line.  Barnes also snagged five steals against NMHU.
 
Cydney McHenry and Maddy Merschel posted 11 and 10 points each, respectively.  For McHenry, Saturday's game marks the sixth straight game the junior guard has posted double-digit points.
 
In a game almost entirely controlled by Highlands, Adams State found themselves unable to find a defensive answer to the Cowgirl's dynamic duo of Kristy Marquez and Glulia Simioni. Offensively the combination totaled 34 points, nearly half of NMHU's entire offensive production. Marquez led the Cowgirls offensively by scoring 17 points against Adams.
 
In the early stages of the first half, the game was much of back and forth affair. After a successful jump-shot by Merschel at the 8:13 mark of the first quarter, the Grizzlies snagged their first and only lead of the game.  NMHU responded with a 7-0 run and never let go of their offensive momentum.  The Cowgirl's bench heavily impacted Saturday's matchup, adding 19 points onto the scoreboard compared to the Grizzlies 5.
 
For the entirety of the game the Cowgirls converted 42 percent (26-62) of their shots from the field. In the second half of regulation, Highland's offense was exceptional, converting nearly half of every shot they took. In comparison the Grizzlies converted on 38 percent (19-50) of all shots.
 
Adams State will now prepare for the season finale against Fort Lewis College on Feb. 26^th. The game will be played in Durango, Colorado and is slated for a 5:30 pm tip-off. Live stats will be mad accessible for fans by following www.asugrlzzies.com.