ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball team fell in their final non-conference game of the regular season Sunday afternoon falling to Missouri Western State University, 73-54, on the road. The loss moves the Grizzlies record to 1-8. 

It was tough afternoon for Adams State as Missouri Western (6-5) led wire-to-wire en route to a 19-point home win. 28 Griffon points scored off of 23 Grizzlies turnovers help them secure the double-digit victory. 

The Grizzlies came out shooting the ball well in the opening frame knocking down 4-6 shots from the floor for 66.7%. They also went 6-7 at the free throw line but 10 turnovers led the Griffons to score seven points off them. They also put up 20 shots and made seven to lead 17-15 after one. 

The second quarter saw Missouri Western score 21 points on 9-14 shooting for 64.3%. The defense also picked up for the home team as Adams State was held to 14 points on just 4-12 made shots for a 33.3 shooting percentage. 

The Griffons held the Grizzlies to just five points for nearly half of the second quarter and scored 12 to grab a 29-20 lead with 6:52 on the clock. A layup from Stephanie Ruiz at the 5:19 mark ended a near two-minute scoring drought. 

Following a pair of made free throws by Ki'asha Harris with 4:29 to play in the first half, Adams State only trailed by five, 29-24. Despite the quick surge, Missouri Western responded by out-scoring the visitors 9-5 to close out the quarter and lead by nine, 38-29, at the break.

13 points for the Griffons off 13 Grizzlies turnovers was the difference in the first 20 minutes. The Grizzlies shot 44.4% (8-18) in the first half, while Griffons shot 47.1% (16-34). 

The third quarter was the lowest scoring frame for Adams State with just 11 points. Missouri Western created separation in the third scoring 18 points which help build double figure lead early on and the home team never looked back. 

The Grizzlies were held to just two points in the first six minutes of the quarter while the Griffons scored 11 points in that span, including a 7-0 run. Harris ended a near four minute drought for the Grizzlies with a jumper with 3:44 left to play in the third. The made shot brought the score to 49-33. 

Going into the fourth quarter, Adams State trailed 56-40 and never managed to get the game within 10. Missouri Western proved to be too much forcing 10 second half turnover and leading by as much as 23 points. The Grizzlies scored 14 points the final frame while the Griffons scored 17 to hold on for the win. 

Harris was the high scorer for the Grizzlies on the afternoon with 14 on 3-7 shooting. She also tied the team lead in rebounds with six. Ruiz was only other double-digit scorer with 10  on a 4-6 shooting performance. Brooke Neal chipped in eight points and Marshell Hollins also had six boards on the day. 

For the afternoon, the Adams State shot 44.7% on 17-38 made baskets. They were just 2-9 from three-point range for 22.2% but went 18-21 from the free throw line for 85.7%. Missouri Western went 26-52 from the floor for a 46.2 shooting percentage and was 6-16 from beyond the arc for 35.7%. They finished 70.4% from the free throw line on 19-27 shooting. 

Four from the Griffons scored in double figures led by a game-high 16 points from Melia Richardson who shot 5-7 from the floor and 6-7 at the free throw line. Katrina Roenfeldt put up 13 points on three made triples and a perfect 4-4 performance at the charity strip. Jessica Davies added 11 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Brittany Atkins chipped in 10 points to round out the Griffons double-digit performers list.

The Grizzlies will return to the hardwood on Jan. 4 to continue their three-game road trip. They will be at Chadron State College this Friday to take on the Eagle. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.