LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Adams State Women's Basketball dropped its second straight game in as many days in a tough 66-62 overtime loss at New Mexico Highlands on Saturday. The Grizzlies loss puts their record at 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the RMAC.

Three Grizzlies managed to score in double figures as the game was close for much of the night. Going into halftime it was a only a 19-18 game but the second half saw the two teams score a combined 61 points to send the contest into overtime. The extra fame fell in favor of New Mexico Highlands (3-7, 1-2 RMAC) as the Cowgirls outscored the Grizzlies 17-13 to earn the four-point win.

The Grizzlies had a slow start yet again as they found themselves down 9-2 in the first three minutes of play. They trailed by as much as nine in the first frame, but eventually found their rhythm to set up close game the rest of the night. A jumper by the Cowgirls at the 2:32 mark of the first gave them a 15-6 lead and the momentum but the Grizzlies did not let it last as they closed out the quarter with a 6-0 run. All six points came on a pair of three pointers from Zakiya Beckles and Brooke Neal, respectively.

With the game at 15-12 in favor of New Mexico Highlands it seem the game was going to be a high scoring one in the first 20 minutes of action but the second quarter only produced 10 combined points from the two squads. The Cowgirls hit a layup with 8:07 on the clock to go up 17-12, but the Grizzlies responded with back-to-back layups to cut the score to 17-16 with 6:04 to play in the half.

Following the Adams State layup, neither team scored until the 1:20 mark of the second thanks in part stifling defense from both teams. Ki'asha Harris hit jumper in the paint to give Adams State it's first lead, 18-17, and end the drought. New Mexico Highlands managed to draw a quick foul and hit a pair of free throws to regain the lead going into the halftime break. 

Despite only having the lead for a total of 27 seconds in the first half combined with a low scoring second quarter, the Grizzlies outscored the Cowgirls in the paint 10-4, from the bench 5-0, and had four points off their turnovers.

The third quarter belonged to Adams State as they outscored New Mexico Highlands 17-11. A layup from Maddie Dorris and a pair of free throws from Harris gave the Grizzlies a 22-19 lead, but a quick three from the Cowgirls tied the game with 6:49 to play. Neither team managed to create much separation. The Cowgirls led by as much as three in the third, while the Grizzlies managed to grab a five-point advantage that they had going into the fourth.

New Mexico Highlands three-point lead came at the 4:22 mark of the third on a long jump shot. The Grizzlies then closed out the final four minutes with an 11-3 run to take a 35-30 lead into the fourth. Beckles hit a jumper to start the run and got help with a pair of triples from Neal and Stephanie Ruiz. Marshell Hollins added the final three points on a made jumper and drew contact for the foul to complete a three-point play from the free throw line.

Adams State managed to push its lead to six points midway through the fourth quarter but New Mexico Highlands ultimately won the scoring battle, 19-14, to force overtime. The Grizzlies led 40-34, but a 6-0 run from the Cowgirls tied the game at 40-all. The two teams traded shots in the final four minutes to set a 49-49 overtime showdown. A combined 30 points was scored in overtime as the Cowgirls edged the Grizzlies 17-13 to hang on for their first conference win of the season.

Ruiz led the way in scoring with 17 points to go along four boards on the night. She also added two assists and a steal. Neal posted 13 points on 5-7 shooting, while going 3-4 from beyond the arc. She also had six rebounds and a pair of assists. Dorris rounded out the double figure scoring, chipping in 12 points. She was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine and had two blocked shots.

Jordyn Lewis was the game's high scorer with 25 on 7-20 shooting to lead New Mexico Highlands. Allyah George put up a double-double performance with 20 points and 10 rebounds. She also tallied two assists and had a trio of steals.

The Grizzlies will return home for their next three games. 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.