ALAMOSA, Colo. - It was a back-and-forth night between Adams State Men's Basketball and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs inside Plachy Hall Gym as the Grizzlies dropped a tight 83-80 contest to the Mountain Lions.

The Grizzlies (4-10, 4-5 RMAC) had a chance to force overtime on a last second three-point attempt from John Dewey but the shot rattled in and out of the basket as the Mountain Lions (10-5, 7-2 RMAC) escaped with a three-point road win.

The game got out to a fast started as both teams scored 15 points in the first 5:30 of play. Neither team led by more than two possessions for much of the first half and when opportunities came to create separation both squads responded to keep the game close.

Midway through the first half the Grizzlies led 23-19 and managed to get up by as much as six points with under nine to play. The Mountain Lions looked to stay within striking distance but a strong surge from the Grizzlies help them establish a double-digit lead.

Following a pair of UCCS free throws, Adams State led 29-24 with 7:50 to play in the half. 54 seconds later Shemar Johnson nailed a long triple to make it an eight-point lead. Adams State then forced a quick turnover and Dewey drew contact for a shooting foul and hit a pair of free throws to make a 10-point lead, 34-24.

Despite the lead, UCCS responded with a 13-2 run and retook the lead, 37-36, with just over 3:30 left to play before the break. Both teams once again traded buckets in the final minutes and it was a 44-44 tie at the half. 

Although the game was tied, UCCS outshot Adams State 44.4%-33.3% in the first half. Helping Adams State stay in the game was a 29-16 rebounding advantage with 13 coming on the offensive end that led to 18 second chance points.

The second half kept the theme of up tempo offense going and it played into the Mountain Lions favor early on. In the first four minutes of play, the visitors had their largest lead of the night at six, 56-50. They managed to establish that gap a multiple times throughout the second half but the Grizzlies kept within striking distance the whole time.

Adams State battled back to within one possession multiple times and managed to tie the game. A Davere Creighton three-pointer with 11:39 on the clock notched it at 62-all. Just over  a minute later he gave Adams State its first lead of the second half with another triple to make a 65-64 game.

With just over 10 minutes to play, the Grizzlies and Mountain Lions continued to trade shots. The Mountain Lions retook the lead, 67-65, with 9:16 to play in the game. The Grizzlies managed to tie it back up twice but never got back out in front again.

UCCS shot 50% in the second half going 15-30 from the floor and was 6-10 for 60% from three-point range. The Grizzlies shot 12-31 for 38.7% but went just 2-7 for 28.6% from beyond the arc. They once again outrebounded the Mountain Lions, this time 23-14.

Four Grizzlies finished in double figures led by Dewey who had a game-high 20 points. He was a perfect 12-12 at the free throw line and also had three assists to go along with two steals. Creighton was right behind him with 19 points on a 7-15 shooting performance. He posted a double-double with 12 rebounds as well. Rickey Norris added 12 points off the bench while Johnson chipped in 11 points. RJ Brown also had double-digit rebounds with 11 and added eight points.

Elijah Ross led the way for the Mountain Lions who also had four players score double-digit points. he put 19 points off the bench on 6-11 shooting and was 3-5 from deep. Blend Avdili added 17 points on a 6-11 shooting performance and tallied four assists. Padiet Wang scored 12 points and led the team in rebounds with seven. Brandon Malone chipped in 10 to round things out.

The Grizzlies wrap up their four-game homestand next weekend against the Colorado Mesa Mavericks on Friday, Jan. 18 and the Western Colorado Mountaineers on Saturday, Jan. 19. Both games are set for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.