ESPANOLA, N.M. - The Adams State Men's Basketball team looked to bounce back after an 0-2 start to the season Tuesday night with an exhibition game at Northern New Mexico College. The Eagles gave the Grizzlies a run for their money, but the visitors ultimately grabbed a 82-79 victory in the midweek tune-up match.
Adams State went into the halftime break trailing 41-40 as both teams had some difficulty getting their shots to fall. Northern New Mexico shot just over 39% in the first 20 minutes of play while Adams State shot just over 36%. Despite the offensive setbacks on both ends the game produced its fair share of interesting moments.
The Eagles did mange to establish a double figure lead midway through the first half and led by as much as 12 points, but a late Grizzlies rally kept the game close going into the break. Bench play kept both teams locked into a solid game as each team produced 13 points off the bench. The Eagles held a four point edge in the paint, 18-14, but the Grizzlies grabbed five points off turnovers in the first half to the Eagle's zero to maintain the balance.
Late in the first half, Northern New Mexico established its largest lead of the night at 12 points, 39-27, but the Grizzlies closed out the half with a 13-1 run to keep the game in reach to start the second half.
The start of the second frame played in the Eagles favor as they 54-44 lead with 16:14 to play on the clock. Maintaining composure, the Grizzlies continued to execute their game plan and battled on with the Eagles. Despite their efforts, the Grizzlies did not tie the game until late in the second half with just over one minute left to play in the game.
Late free throws by the Grizzlies coupled with mishaps by the Eagles pushed the game to fall in the visitors' favor. A big help to the Grizzlies exhibition win was their second half performance on both sides of the ball. They shot 65.2% percent in the second 20 minutes and once again held the Eagles to under 40% shooting (36.1%) to mount the comeback. A big help to that was the play inside yet again. Adams State added 28 points down low in the second half, while limiting Northern New Mexico to just 16.
Four Grizzlies put up double digits in the midweek tilt led by 18 points by
Rickey Norris on 50% shooting (6-of-12). He also added seven rebounds and one block.
Shemar Johnson posted a double-double scoring 14 points to go along with 12 boards. He was also a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and put up two blocks.
Justice Augmon wa sthe second leading scorer with 15 points, while
John Dewey added 12 to round out the double figure scoring.
Three from Northern New Mexico put up 10-plus points on the night led by Naquwan Solomon who had a game-high 19 points on a 7-of-13 shooting performance. He also led the team in rebounds with seven. Bryce Simmons added 15 points, whole Mayke Richards chipped in 13 points for the Eagles.
The Grizzlies will be in Pueblo, Colo. this weekend to compete in the Al Kaly Shrine Classic hosted by CSU-Pueblo. The Grizzlies will play Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17. Their two opponents are Wayland Baptist and MSU Texas.
