ALAMOSA, Colo. - Adams State Women's Basketball dropped a 77-46 loss at home to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Saturday as a second half surge proved to be too much for the Grizzlies. The loss put the Grizzlies at 1-12 overall and 1-8 in the RMAC.
47 second half points from the Mountain Lions (6-9, 5-4 RMAC) while limiting the Grizzlies to just 23 helped them secure the 31-point road win inside Plachy Hall Gym. The Mountain Lions shot 52.8% for the game on 28-53 shooting and held the Grizzlies to 17-56 shooting for just 30.4%.
Early on the two teams played a close game. Late in the first quarter, UCCS and Adams State were tied at 6-all before a 6-0 run from the visitors help them establish an eight point lead, 14-6. Adams State kept within reach though and trailed by just seven, 14-7 going into the second quarter.
Both teams put up 16 points in the second quarter as the pace picked up in the second 10 minutes of action. Through the first 4:37 of play the Grizzlies outscored the Mountain Lions 8-3 got within three, 17-15, at the midway point of the frame.
Despite the surge, UCCS never relinquished the lead to Adams State. The home team had opportunities and got within twice in final five minute sof play but never got over the hump.
Marshell Hollins got Adams State within one both times on a pair of made free throw and a short jump shot to keep things close.
Following Hollins jumper with 3:05 to play in the half, the Grizzlies trailed 22-21. The Mountain Lions once again had an answer and outscored the Grizzlies 8-2 in the final three minutes of play to take a seven-point lead into the break, 30-23.
The Grizzlies shot 35.7% in the first half on 10-28 made shots but were 0-6 from three-point range. The Mountain Lions posted a 46.2 shooting percentage in the first half and went 2-6 from deep for 33.3%. The battle for rebounds was deadlocked at 17 apiece.
Coming out of halftime, UCCS scored a quick two points to get nine, 32-28, but Adams State stayed within striking distance thanks to a tough layup from
Madison Merschel in traffic and a long three from
Brooke Neal.
The Grizzlies managed to cut the game to one possession when Neal hit a layup to make it a 35-32 deficit with 7:01 to play in the third. The Mountain Lions then went on a 17-0 run to open the game up and establish a commanding double figure lead.
Adams State scored a 16 third quarter points but the Mountain Lions nearly doubled that amount with 29 to take a 59-39 lead into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter belonged to the Mountain Lions as they outscored the Grizzlies 18-7 to secure the win.
Neal and
Lowendie Laporal led the Grizzlies in scoring with 10 apiece. Laporal was also the team's leading rebounder with six on the night, while led the way in assists with four. Merschel chipped in eight points and had four boards.
Three Mountain Lions finished with double-digit points led by Madi Gaibler with 11. She shot 4-6 from the floor while going a perfect 2-2 from beyond the arc. Anna Davern and Caley Bernard each scored 10 points, respectively. Davern was the leading rebounders with six and had three blocked shots, while Bernard tallied three steals on the night.
The Grizzlies will continue their homestand next weekend as they take on the Colorado Mesa Mavericks on Friday, Jan. 18 and the Western Colorado Mountaineers on Saturday, Jan. 19. Tip-off for both games are set for 5:30 p.m.
