ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball team dropped its fourth straight game on Sunday afternoon in Plachy Hall Gym in a defensive battle against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The Grizzlies were held to season low in points as they fell to the Hardrockers 52-46.

The Grizzlies (1-6, 1-4 RMAC) were held to single digits points in two of the four quarters. The difference in this low scoring affair came in the third quarter as the Hardrockers (3-5, 1-4 RMAC) scored 17 points and held the Grizzlies to just nine.

Coming out to start the game, it was low scoring affair as the two teams combined for just 17 first quarter points. Midway through the opening quarter, the 'Rockers only led the Grizzlies by three, 6-3. Following a missed layup by the visitors with 2;40 to play in the first, Stephanie Ruiz found Madison Merschel on the next possession for the Grizzlies to cut the score to 6-5 with 2:21 to play.

South Dakota Mines responded with a triple with just over 90 seconds left on the clock to lead 9-5. Adams State responded with a deep three from Ruiz with :52 on the clock. Despite the slow start and it just being a 9-8 game in favor of the 'Rockers, both teams found an offensive groove in the second quarter as they scored 30 combined points.

The Grizzlies hit back-to-back jumpers to start the second frame and retake the lead, 12-9 with 8:33 to play in the half. It was not until there was 7:11 left to play until a team scored again as the 'Rockers hit a short jumper to cut the Grizzlies lead to one, 12-11. The home team responded and strung together a 5-0 run that lasted just over three minutes to grab a 17-11 edge with 04:01 left until halftime.

Ki'asha Harris made her presence know as she scored three of the five points for Adams state to help build a six-point lead. Marshell Hollins got the run started with a layup, while Harris finished it off with a layup as well and drew contact for the and-one opportunity. 

Looking to stay within reach of the Grizzlies, the 'Rockers went on an 8-2 run that tied the game at 19-all with just over 1:30 left to play in the half. Darias Whittington gave the Grizzlies the lead back with a triple at the 1:14 mark and the Grizzlies closed out the final two minutes outscoring the 'Rockers 6-3.

Leading 25-22 at the break, Adams State shot 50% in the first 20 minutes of play, while holding South Dakota Mines to just 22.6%. Adams State was also 505 from three-point range, while South Dakota Mines only shot 20%.

Coming out the break, the Grizzlies scored the first five points thanks in part to a quick layup from Brooke Neal and a three-pointer from Ruiz to lead 30-22. The 'Rockers answered with a three of their own to stay within five but a layup from Maddie Dorris pushed the lead back to seven, 32-25, with 6:24 left to play in the third. The 'Rockers responded though scoring a pair of layup in less than 60 seconds to trail by just three, 32-29.

With 5:32 to play in the third, it was only a three-point game but neither team scored for over two and a half minutes. The 'Rockers ended the drought with a layup at the 2:55 mark of the third and closed out the quarter with a 10-2 run to lead 39-34.

The Grizzlies trailed by as much as seven in the final quarter but still managed to play within one possession multiple times. Despite the multiple quick surges on offense from the Grizzles, they were never able to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Neal had a chance to tie the game for home team midway through. She hit a jumper at 6:37 mark to cut the game to two points, 40-38, and followed it up with a steal and drew contact to go to the free throw line. She went 1-2 at the charity strip and cut the Grizzlies deficit to one, 40-39. Neal and Ruiz managed to get Adams State within one last time.

Trailing 48-41 with 3:15 left to play, the pair scored the next five for Adams State to cut it to a two-point game with 1:07 play. Neal hit a long jumper while Ruiz put up the triple give Adams State one last chance to win or force overtime. The 'Rockers responded scoring the final four points after forcing an Adams State turnover to hold on for the six-point road win.

Neal and Harris led the way in scoring with a game-high 10 points apiece. Harris also added seven boards, while both players had a pair of steals on the day. Ruiz chipped in nine and tied the team lead in rebounds with seven as well. she also had a pair of steals and assists. As a team, Adams State finished the game 18-49 shooting for 36.7%. 

Taylor Molstad was the high scorer for the 'Rockers with nine points to go along with seven rebounds. She also three steals for the game. Anna Haugen was game's leading rebounder with 10, while also scoring eight points and notching three steals. Melissa Johnstone also scored eight points. Cooper Courtney and Marissa Hirchert each chipped in seven points, respectively. 

As a unit, South Dakota Mines only shot 33.3% for te game on 18-54 shooting. A big help in their win came off of 23 scored points on 29 Adams state turnover. the 'Rockers also outscored the Grizzlies in the paint, 24-18, and in bench points, 15-9. The Grizzlies scored 17 points off of 21 turnovers by the 'Rockers.

The Grizzlies have a quick turnaround as they host Rockhurst this Wednesday, Dec. 19 in the final non-conference home game of the regular season. Tip-off against the Hawks is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside Plachy Hall Gym.