ALAMOSA, Colo. (January 10, 2017) – Adams State University begins their 2017 home slate this weekend as they host South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and Black Hills State University. The Grizzlies host S.D. School of Mines on Friday with Black Hills State visiting Plachy Hall Gym on Saturday. Both RMAC games are slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

Last Time Out
A 42-32 Adams State lead near the end of the first half was erased by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs who made a season-high 17 three-pointers to pull away for a 94-81 victory on Jan. 6. Brandon Sly posted 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals in the loss. Bryan Umoru finished with 10 points as Brandon Pasker, Shane Johnson, and Jakolbhi Gillette each chipped in 9. Gillette's 9 points served as a season-high as the senior went 3-of-4 from downtown. The Grizzlies once again showed their depth as the ASU bench outscored the UCCS bench, 41-22.

The following night, Adams State picked up their biggest win of the season on the road at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The 85-81 win snapped a six-game losing streak and was ASU's first against Metro State since Jan. 22^nd, 2011. It also marked Adams State's first win at the Auraria Event Center in 25 years. The last Grizzly win at Metro State came on Dec. 18^th, 1992 via an 86-82 score. The Grizzlies overcame early struggles as the Roadrunners galloped to an 11-point lead midway through the first half and ultimately went into halftime with a 47-41 advantage over ASU.

The Grizzlies began their comeback in the minutes before halftime and carried that momentum into the second half. A 20-9 run by ASU positioned the Grizzlies out in front, 61-56, after a Brandon Pasker layup with 11:00 remaining. The Roadrunners came back to tie the game at 61-61 just over a minute later to set up a final half of play that included four lead changes. Adams State held onto the lead moving forward to force Metro State to foul. The Grizzlies were able to keep their distance with free throws to secure the win. Four Grizzlies finished in double figures paced by 21 points from Pasker. The junior added 9 rebounds and 4 blocks while shooting 10-of-13 from the field. Sly finished with 20 points and 5 assists while shooting 13-of-16 from the free throw line.

Conference Glance
Fort Lewis remains atop the standings at 13-3, 8-2 RMAC but did suffer a loss to Metro State on Jan. 6^th. S.D. School of Mines enters weekend play at 9-7, 5-5 RMAC with Black Hills State sitting at 5-11, 2-8 RMAC. The Grizzlies hold a 6-10, 3-7 RMAC record.

Scouting The Hardrockers
S.D. School of Mines allows and averages 73.1 ppg. entering weekend play. The Hardrockers are led by senior Konor Kulas' 18.4 ppg. and 8.4 rpg. Kulas owns an RMAC-best 65 percent field goal shooting mark. Senior Jamall Taylor provides an outside factor with a 51 percent (16-24) shooting mark from downtown. Taylor is second on the team in scoring at 10.8 ppg. Marco Pascolo, Jake Heath, and Brian Orr all average 9 ppg. or better. Head Coach Jason Henry is in his 11^th season at the helm of the Hardrockers' program.

Scouting The Yellow Jackets
The weekend begins with a four-game losing streak for Head Coach Jeff Trumbauer who is in his third season with the team. The Yellow Jackets rank last in the RMAC with 63.2 ppg. but are ranked second defensively by allowing just 66.4 ppg. The program also ranks first in the RMAC in field goal defense (40%) and three-point defense (29%). Sophomore Frazier Malcolm leads the team with 12.3 ppg. The last Black Hills State win came on Dec. 17^th vs. Chadron State College.

Last We Met
In 2015-16, ASU made a trip to the Mount Rushmore State to face S.D. School of Mines and Black Hills State. The Grizzlies left 2-0 after a 74-58 win against the Yellow Jackets and a 77-59 win over the Hardrockers.

Looking Ahead
Adams State remains home next weekend against Chadron State (1/20) and Regis University (1/21). Both games will start at 7:30 p.m.
 
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Team Posters
Fans, team posters are available online at www.asugrizzlies.com. Navigate to the 'Fan Zone' at the top of the ASU home page to find our 'Team Posters' link. Team posters will be updated and added over the course of the year. Hard copies of posters are also available at the ASU athletic office.