ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball dropped its first home game of the 2018-19 season Saturday night in Plachy Hall in a 76-51 loss to RMAC foe Black Hills State University. The Grizzlies record now moves to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Despite grabbing an early 5-2 lead in the opening frame, the Grizzlies were not able to withstand a 20-0 run by the Yellow Jackets (5-1, 3-1 RMAC). The run gave Blacks Hills State a 22-5 lead going into the second quarter. A layup by Danielle Jimenez help push the Grizzlies lead to 5-2 with 7:04 on the clock before the 20-0 run by the Yellow Jackets.

Adams State found its offensive rhythm in the second quarter scoring 16 points but the Yellow Jackets still managed to put 15 of their to lead 37-21 going into the halftime break. The Grizzlies managed to cut the deficit to 11 points, 25-14, at the 6:50 mark when Stephanie Ruiz hit a deep three-pointer. The Yellow jackets countered with a 12-0 run to push their lead to 23, 37-14, before the Grizzlies manged to score again.

The Grizzlies put up a few more shots before the end of the first half as Blacks Hills State went into the break with a 37-21 lead. The Yellow Jackets lead the Grizzlies in every category, but the biggest differential came from the bench. Blacks Hills State had 17 first half points from the bench, while the Grizzlies were held to just one.

The third quarter saw the Grizzlies get their closest gap to the Yellow Jackets as they fought to get within seven with 7:27 left to play in the game. After a quick jumper from Black Hills State at 8:38 mark it was a 39-26 game. The Grizzlies then strung together a quick 6-0 lead to cut the Yellow Jackets lead to 39-32.

Despite the rally by the Grizzlies the Yellow Jackets managed to push their lead back to double-digits with back-to-back buckets and never let the Grizzlies get within single digits the rest of the third quarter. The Grizzlies trailed 54-31 going into the final quarter of play and managed to threaten the Yellow Jackets yet again.

With just over 6:30 to play in the fourth quarter, a jumper from Brooke Neal in the paint got the Grizzlies within nine, 58-49, one last time. The Yellow jackets responded yet again with a 12-0 run to grab a 70-49 edge with 2:43 to play in the game before the Grizzlies scored again. The run ultimately sealed the game as Black Hills State held on for the 25-point victory.

Ruiz led Adams State in scoring with a game-high 21 points on 9-14 shooting. She was also 3-6 from beyond the arc and grabbed five boards. Neal was the only other Grizzly in score in double figures chipping 11. She led the team in rebounds with six and had a blocked shot. As a team, Adams State shot 35.8% for the game on 19-53 shooting. 

Four Yellow Jackets finished in double-digits led by Lyndzi Rich who had 19 on 8-12 shooting. Right behind her was Racquel Wientjes with 16 points. Morgan Ham added 14,while Julia Seamans rounded out the effort with 11. As a unit, Black Hills State finished the game with a49.2 shooting percentage as they went 29-59 from the floor. 

The Grizzlies have a quick turnaround as they host South Dakota School of Mines tomorrow afternoon. Tip-off against the Hardrockers is set for 3:30 p.m. inside Plachy Hall.