ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Women's Basketball team is on the road this weekend as conference play picks up. The Grizzlies got RMAC play started with a hard fought 65-63 win over Fort Lewis College last weekend and will hope to carry that momentum into this weekend.

OPPONENTS
Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves (3-4, 1-0 RMAC)
New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (2-6, 0-1 RMAC)

WHEN
Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8 - 5 p.m.

WHERE
Pueblo, Colo. - Massari Arena
Las Vegas, N.M. - John A. Wilson Complex

Tip-Off
The Grizzlies hit the road for the first time in conference play this weekend as they get set to take on the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves and the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls. Fresh off a 65-63 RMAC opening win at home last weekend, the Grizzlies are 1-2 on the year with a 1-0 mark in conference. Their only two losses on the year are against a pair of Missouri schools in Rockhurst and William Jewell.

Entering the weekend, the Grizzlies boast one the RMAC's top scorer's in Stephanie Ruiz. The sophomore guard is third in the conference in scoring with an average of 19.0 points per game. Her average of 22.0 points per contest in RMAC play is also third. Ruiz is shooting 37.7% per game from the floor and is averaging 25% shooting from three-point range. Her three-point percentage is sixth in the RMAC, while her overall percentage is 15th.

Complimenting Ruiz in the back court is fellow guard Marshell Hollins, who is second on the team in scoring with an average of 10.3 points per game. Her average is in the top-25 in the RMAC at 24th and she is shooting 43.5% from the field. Adams State also has the conference's top rebounder in Ki'asha Harris. The senior is averaging 9.0 boards every time she steps on the hardwood to lead the conference. As a team the Grizzlies have out-rebounded their opposition two out of three times.

Looking to make an impact in their play going forward for the Grizzlies are Hollins and Brooke Neal as both are averaging just over three assists a game. Hollins is the team leader in assists at 3.3 per game, while Neal is second at an even 3.0. Their averages rank 11th and 12 in the conference, respectively. Hollins also has been clutch for the Grizzlies at the free throw line. She 11-12 from the line for 91.7% this season which is the best percentage in the RMAC. Harris and Neal both rank in the top-10 in the conference in free throw percentage as well at 83.3% (10-12, 4th) and 80.0% (12-15, 9th), respectively.

Defensive play has started to shine for Adams State as they also have players ranked in the top-10 in the RMAC in block shots and steals. Lowendie Laporal is fourth with an average of 1.4 blocks per game, while Ruiz is eighth in steals with an average of 2.0 per contest. Both lead the team so far this season. Neal is also fifth in the conference in minute splayed at 34.7 per game and tied for eighth in rebounding at 7.3 per game. Ruiz leads not only the Grizzlies but the RMAC as well in minutes played at 38.0 per game.

Scouting the Thunderwolves
Like the Grizzlies, CSU-Pueblo is coming off a winning weekend to start RMAC competition. The Thunderwolves took down New Mexico Highlands with ease en route to 76-48 win. Four players finished in double figures in the win led by JaNaiya Davis who put 14 points on a 7-13 shooting performance. Davis enters the weekend as the team's leading scorer averaging 12.6 points per game.

Right behind Davis in scoring is Jennah Knafelc with an average of 12.3 points per game. Two other players are averaging double-digit points in Sydni Williams and Khiya Adams at 11.3 points and 10.6 points per game, respectively. Both players are the team's top rebounders as well. Adams averages 7.4 boards per to lead CSU-Pueblo and her average is tied for eighth in the RMAC. Williams 7.2 rebounds per game is second on the team and 11th in the RMAC.

Knafelc and Davis guard play also has them leading them in assists at 4.1 and 3.9 per contest, respectively. Their averages ranked fourth and sixth in the RMAC as well. Davis also ranks eighth in the RMAC in shooting percentage at 48.4%. Davis and Knafelc also lead the way in steals, with both being in the top-10 in the conference. Kanfelc is third overall in the RMAC at 2.5 steals per contest, while Davis is tied for fourth at 2.3. Knafelc is also third in assist-turnover ratio at 2.4.

As a team, the Thunderwolves are fourth in the conference in scoring at 7.16 points per, while holding the opposition to 66.9 points on average. Their 43.5 shooting percentage is also fourth highest in the RMAC while limiting opponents to 38.7%. 

Scouting the Cowgirls
New Mexico Highlands is 2-6 overall and is 0-1 in RMAC play entering the weekend. Both of the Cowgirls wins have come against the University of the Southwest (N.M.). They are currently on a four-game skid and will look to turn their fortune around this weekend.

Jordyn Lewis is the team's top offensive threat with an average of 15.1 points per game. She is the only player for New Mexico Highlands averaging double figure points this season and her average is seventh best in the RMAC.

Devion Allen crashes the boards the best for New Mexico Highlands with an average of 7.3 per contest. She is tied for eighth in the conference with her average. Allyah George is second for the Cowgirls at 5.9 boards per game. Allen is also the team leader in assists with 2.1 per game, while Brianna Stewart is not far behind her with 1.8. Amare Terry and Allen average the most steals for the Cowgirls at 1.5 apiece.

As a collective unit, the Cowgirls are second to last in the RMAC (15th) in scoring averaging just 53.1 points per game. Their defense is 12th in the conference allowing 69.4 points per game to the opposition.

Up Next
The Grizzlies will return home for their next three games following their two game road trip. They get their home stand started with a RMAC match-up against nationally ranked Black Hills State on Saturday, Dec. 15. Tip-off against the Yellow Jackets is set for 5:30 p.m. inside Plachy Hall Gym.