DENVER (January 7, 2017) – The end to a weekend could not have been any sweeter for Head Coach Russ Caton and Adams State University who snapped a six-game losing streak on Saturday night with an 85-81 road victory over Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The important RMAC win was the Grizzlies' (6-10, 3-7 RMAC) first against Metro State (10-5, 6-3 RMAC) since a 59-54 win at Plachy Hall Gym on 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.

In Saturday's win, 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 a slim 72-69 lead in the late stages before Brandon Sly knocked down a crucial three-pointer with 3:00 left. Now holding a 75-69 lead, the Roadrunners were forced to foul and stop the clock. However, the strategy did not pan out for Metro State as Adams State was able to hold onto their lead with free throws down the stretch.  

Four Grizzlies finished in double figures paced by 21 points from Brandon 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. A 14-point effort in the second half propelled Bryan Umoru to 19 total points in the win as Szymon Walczak posted a season-high 18 points. Like Sly, a successful night at the charity stripe kept Walczak active as the freshman shot 11-of-14 from the line.  

 An aggressive offense led to 45 opportunities at the free throw line for ASU. The Grizzlies went 31-of-45 (68.9%) from the line. Adams State shot 53.2 percent (25-47) from the field as the Roadrunners finished at 44.6 percent (29-65).

A rare starting five translated into another successful night for the ASU bench that outscored Metro State's bench, 41-17. Sly, Walczak, J.R. Tailey, Kevin Dorsey, and Caleb Wroten all received the starting nod for the RMAC tilt.

Sunday Dech and Cameron Williams led Metro State with 22 and 21 points, respectively.

Adams State now returns home to face South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Jan. 13^th at 7:30 p.m.

For any future updates on ASU men's basketball stay connected with www.asugrizzlies.com