GOLDEN, Colo. (February 28, 2017) – Junior guard Brandon Sly posted 19 second half points en route to a team-high 24 as Adams State University fell, 99-79, in quarterfinal action of the RMAC Tournament to Colorado School of Mines.

The Grizzlies (13-16) shot 44.4 percent (28-63) from the field but the Orediggers (25-4) countered with a 58.9 percent (33-56) shooting clip and a 52.4 percent (11-21) mark from three-point range. At the free throw line, Colorado Mines shot 88 percent (22-25).

"They are a very tough team, especially at home. We knew we couldn't let them get rolling and for 30 minutes we did a really good job," Head Coach Russ Caton said following Tuesday's loss. "I'm very proud to be a part of this team. They are good people and good ball players. Hopefully in some way I've made them even better."

In defeat, Sly shot 10-of-15 from the field and 4-of-6 from downtown en route to his 24 points. Bryan Umoru and Brandon Pasker added 14 points apiece with Shane Johnson chipping in 11 to give ASU four players in double figures.

Gokul Natesan and Luke Schroepfer led Colorado Mines with 27 and 24 points, respectively. The duo helped the Orediggers establish a double digit lead late in the contest by shooting a combined 7-of-10 from three in the second half. For the game Natesan and Schroepfer combined for 10 three's.  

In the first half, the Grizzlies took the lead four times with Pasker and Umoru leading the way. A 6-0 run capped off by a Umoru fastbreak layup pushed ASU out in front, 23-22, at the midway point of the half. A few minutes later, a pair of Johnson free throws gave ASU a slim 28-27 edge with 8:02 remaining. Johnson's free throws would ultimately serve as ASU's last lead of the game.

After an Orediggers mini run in the second half to establish an 11 point lead, the Grizzlies cut their deficit to one at 58-57 thanks to a J.R. Tailey layup at the 13:22 mark. Adams State was unable to reclaim the lead as Natesan and Schroepfer caught fire to pull Colorado Mines ahead into double digits once again.

The postseason loss brought an end to the collegiate careers of Umoru, Kevin Dorsey, and Jakolbhi Gillette.

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