ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball team opened RMAC play Saturday night in Plachy Hall Gym with a hard fought 65-63 win over Fort Lewis College. The win improves the Grizzlies record to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

The game was not always pretty, but the Grizzlies proved to be the better when it came it to playing tough basketball. Stephanie Ruiz was a difference maker all night as she scored a game-high 22 points, while Ki'asha Harris posted a double-double to help guide Adams State to the win.

Adams State came out the gate scoring 17 points in the opening quarter, while holding Fort Lewis (3-3, 0-1 RMAC) to 11. A 7-1 run to start the game help Adams State build momentum for a first quarter that was controlled by them the majority of the time. A deep triple from Ruiz at the 8:07 mark capped the run giving the home team a commanding start. 

The Skyhawks responded with a 7-0 run to to take their first lead of the night, 8-7, with 4:07 to play in the first quarter. Despite the quick surge to jump out in front from the visitors, the Grizzlies allowed just three more points the rest of the quarter while scoring 10 of their own to lead 17-11 after one. Darias Whittington was a boost off the bench for the Grizzlies in that span as she nailed a jumper and a three-pointer late to help give the Grizzlies breathing room. 

The second quarter went in the Skyhawks favor as they put up 20 points to the Grizzlies 15. The back-and-forth affair was far from over as the Grizzlies held onto a one-point lead going into the break, 32-31. A quick triple from Kayla Herrera and a jumper in the paint from Jordan Carter got Fort Lewis within one, 17-16 within the first minute of action the second. After foul from the Skyhawks, Maddie Dorris hit a pair of free throws to keep the Grizzlies up by three, 19-16.

Carter was the force for the Skyhawks needed as she poured in 11 first half points to keep the game close at halftime. Eight of her 11 points came in the second quarter, but fouls slowed the game down to the Grizzlies favor. Brooke Neal and Harris went a combined 5-6 at the charity strip in the final 90 seconds of the first half, which help give the Grizzlies the slim lead at the half.

Neither team shot the ball well in the first half as Fort Lewis shot just 37.1% but held Adams State to 25% shooting. A big help for the Grizzlies in the first 20 minutes was bench play as they outscored the Skyhawks bench, 16-10. Keeping Fort Lewis in the game was a 16-10 points in the paint advantage.

Coming out off the break both teams traded shots early in the third and neither was able to really create a sizable lead. The theme of high scoring quarters was still alive as the two combined for 34 points in the third. Adams State managed to get out in front, 18-16.

Both teams still struggled to shoot the ball in second half as both shots just over 29%. Although the percentages were low both teams did get off a number of shots. The Grizzlies shot 10-34 for 29.4%, while the Skyhawks shot 11-37 for 29.7%. With the Grizzlies and Skyhawks trading shots in the third, it was clear that game was going to come down to the wire. Ruiz and Harris hit late free throws, while Ruiz nailed a three-pointer late to help give the Grizzlies a 50-47 edge going into the fourth.

The Grizzlies never trailed in the fourth quarter and led by as much as nine but the Skyhawks hung around until the very end to keep fans on the edge of their seats. A layup by Alyssa Yocky at 7:26 mark got Fort Lewis within three, 54-51, but a 7-1 run by Adams State help them establish a 61-52 lead with just over 3:48 to play in the game. Despite being down nine late, the Skyhawks made one last push to try an steal a road win.

The Skyhawks strung together an 8-0 run, with five of those points coming at the free throw line. The run got them within one, 61-60 with 13 seconds on the clock. Unphased by the run, a calm and collective Grizzlies team closed out the game going 4-4 at the charity strip. Ruiz and Marshell Hollins came in clutch at the line to secure a RMAC opening win for the Grizzlies.

Ruiz's 22 points complimented a near double-double performance as she pulled in eight rebounds on the night. Harris was the only other player in double figures with 12. She was just 2-7 from the field, but went 8-10 at the free throw line and grabbed 11 boards for the double-double performance. Whittington and Neal each chipped in eight points, while Lowendie Laporal added seven off the bench. Hollins led the way with a game-high six assists while chipping in four points. 

As a team, Adams State put up 66 shots on the night and connected on 18 for 27.3% shooting. The biggest help in their win was 29 points off the bench and 14 second chance points. Defensively, they held Fort Lewis 33.3% on 24-72 shooting and limited their bench to just 10 points, all of which that came in the first half. Free throws also helped the Grizzlies who went 24-31 for 77.4%, while Skyhawks were just 9-19 for 47.4%

Four Skyhawks finished with double-digit points led by Carter who had 17. She put up a double-double a she also grabbed 11 boards and shot 8-15 from the floor. Sydney Candelaria added 13 points on a 4-16 shooting performance. Herrera added 12 point, while Yocky had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Grizzlies will now hit the road for their next two games. They will head to Colorado State-Pueblo this Friday, Dec. 7 to start the short road trip. Tip-off against the Thunderwolves is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.