DENVER - Adams State Men's Basketball was not able to withstand a late run Saturday night on the road as the tea dropped a 76-69 game at Regis. The loss puts the Grizzlies record at 6-12 overall and 6-7 in the RMAC.
50 points in the second half by the Rangers (13-6, 10-3 RMAC) while limiting the Grizzlies to just 35 helped them mount the comeback for the home win.
Neither team got out to a fast start as the Grizzlies held a 13-9 lead through the first 10 minutes of action. RJ Brown got out to a solid start for Adams State hitting his first three shots to help them establish the early lead over the Rangers.
The slow start of the first half showed for both teams as they were a combined 0-14 from three-point range. A Shemar Johnson triple from the right wing with 7:06 on the clock ended the three-point drought. His shot also pushed the Grizzlies lead to 20-12.
Johnson gave the Grizzlies their first double-digit lead, 22-12, out of the under eight minute media timeout with a put back dunk. John Dewey extended the lead to 12 points with a pair of made free throws. The Rangers looked to keep the game within reach but the Grizzlies maintained a two or more possession lead going into halftime.
Johnson had a strong first half performance with 13 points on 5-8 made shots to held Adams State lead 34-26 at the break. The Grizzlies late makes from deep help them grab an eight-point lead. After starting 0-4 from deep, they hit three of their final four attempts to finish 3-8 in the first half.
Coming out of the break, the Grizzlies struggled early on in the second half scoring just two points in the first five minutes of action. The Rangers got within three, 36-33, but the Grizzlies had an answer in the form of Johnson. He scored 10 straight points to put them up by double figures yet again, 46-33.
Despite the double figure lead, the Rangers slowly chipped away at the lead. They pieced together a 10-2 run late in the half to take a 60-59 lead with 4:20 left in regulation.
The Grizzlies struggled to get shots to fall in the final minutes as they went 1-7 from the floor. The Rangers created some separation with the help of 5-6 made three's to close out the game and secure the seven-point win, 76-69.
Johnson led the Grizzlies inn scoring with 28 points on a 11-20 shooting performance. He also pulled in eight rebounds and had two steals. Creighton and Brown both chipped in 10 points to round out the double-digit scoring. The duo also had six rebounds each and shot a combined 9-18. Rickey Norris led the way in rebounds with 11.
Jarrett Brodbeck led all scorers for night with a game-high 34 points and 10-18 shooting to go along with seven boards. Ryan Beisty was the only other player in double digits with 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Grizzlies will remain on the road next weekend as they head to Utah. They will take on Westminster College and Dixie State on Feb. 1 and 2, respectively.
