ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball team came up just short of a comeback win at home Wednesday afternoon inside Plachy Hall Gym. The Grizzlies squared off against the Rockhurst Hawks for the second time this year but fell in a low scoring affair, 54-49.

A pair of single digit scoring quarters did not help Adams State (1-7) as Rockhurst (5-5) was able to hold on for the five-point win. The Grizzlies were outscored in the first three quarters by total of 40-33. Despite playing from behind the majority of the game, the Grizzlies still managed to threaten the Hawks late at home.

Both teams came in averaging well over 50 points per game but early on it was clear that defense was going to be the theme for much of the afternoon. With 6:40 to play in the first quarter, the game was only at a 4-4 tie but the Grizzlies gave themselves a three-point edge thanks in part to a Zakiya Beckles triple with 5:37 to play in the quarter.

Looking to keep things interesting, the Hawks scored the next six points before the Grizzlies scored again. The 6-0 Rockhurst run made it a 10-7 game with 2:21 on the clock but exactly two minutes later Brooke Neal drew contact on a shot attempt to end the run. She went 1-2 at the free throw and it was 10-8, Rockhurst, after one.

The second quarter was the highest scoring one of the four as the Grizzlies and Hawks scored a combined 36 points. The Hawks had the edge with 20 to the Grizzlies 16 which put the score in their favor at halftime, 30-24. The visitors looked to create some separation early in the second as the Hawks went on an 8-1 run to grab a nine point lead, 18-9, with 7:44 to play in the half.

Rockhurst maintained anywhere from a 6-10 lead for much of the second quarter, but the Grizzlies responded in crucial times to stay within striking distance going into the break. Madison Merschel hit a quick jumper to cut the game to 18-11, but Rockhurst countered with a quick layup to go back up nine. Stephanie Ruiz responded for Adams State on the next possession with a deep three to cut the game to six points, 20-14, with 6:28 left in the half.

Defense once again picked up as a scoring drought kept either team from scoring until the 4:11 mark. The Hawks ended the drought with a jumper to go up eight and after forcing a stop against the Grizzlies, they hit a long three to go up 10, 24-14. The Hawks held the 10-point advantage for a short time as the Grizzlies closed out the first half outscoring them 10-6 to stay within six.

Ki'asha Harris scored eight of Adams State's final 10 points with all eight points coming in a row. She was 4-4 at the free throw line in the final 3:10 of the second quarter and nailed a pair of jumpers to keep the Grizzlies close. The Hawks managed to shoot 40.7% in the first half, while the Grizzles were held to just 28%.

Coming out of halftime, both teams went back to playing tough defense as they scored just a combined 19 point in the third. A quick triple from Ruiz to start the quarter cut the Rockhurst lead to three, 30-27. Rockhurst answered with a layup on the next possession and the game once again slowed down after a pair of quick shots in the first minute. With 7:17 to play on the clock, Lowendie Laporal hit a layup and drew contact for the and-one opportunity. After completing the three-point play, the Grizzlies trailed by just two, 32-30.

Both teams continued to play solid defense but the Hawks managed to close out the third quarter outscoring the Grizzlies 8-3, with all eight points coming in an 8-1 run. Merschel and Sentreal Gregory provided the final three points on a made free throw and a layup, respectively.

Rockhurst manged to stay in front by as much as nine points, 45-36, in the first 2:58 of the fourth quarter before a furious rally from Adams State gave them a two-point lead with 4:20 to play in the game. Trailing by nine with 8:27 on the clock, the Grizzlies pieced together a 13-2 run that lasted over four minutes to go up two.

Marshell Hollins got the run started scoring the first four on a pair of made layups. Gregory added five points on a three-pointer and two made free throws, while Merschel and Ruiz both hit a jumper to close out the run and put the Grizzlies in the driver's seat.

Despite the surge from Adams State it was not enough as Rockhurst closed out the final four minutes of the game scoring seven straight points to hold on for the 54-49 road win. A pair of made jumpers while going 3-4 at the charity strip help the Hawks steal a victory from the Grizzlies.

Hollins and Gregory each scored nine points to lead the Grizzlies. Hollins finished 4-9 shooting and had five boards to go along with two assists and two steals. Gregory also had two steals on the afternoon. Ruiz and Harris each chipped in eight points. Ruiz led the team in assists with three, while Harris was the game leader in rebounds with seven. As a team, Adams State shot 16-52 for the game to finish at 30.8%.

Madeline Ronshausen led the Rockhurst charge with a game-high 23 points on 7-12 shooting, while going 7-8 from the free throw line. She tied the team lead in rebounds with five. Rachel Holden, Morgan Smith, and Kaci German each chipped in six points. Holden and Smith each had five boards and blocked shot, respectively. The Hawks finished the game 18-45 for 40%.

The Grizzlies close out the 2018 calendar year on Sunday, Dec. 30 with a road game in St. Joseph, Mo. against Missouri Western. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. against the Griffons.