DENVER - 40 second half points helped the Adams State Men's Basketball secure a come from behind win on the road Saturday night against MSU Denver. The 68-62 win improved the Grizzlies record to 4-8 overall and 4-3 in RMAC play.
The Grizzlies got off to a slow start in the first 20 minutes of action scoring just 26 points while the Roadrunners (6-5, 4-3 RMAC) put up 38 to hold a double figure lead at halftime. The lead did not hold through as the Grizzlies 40-point second half help them secure a six-point win.
The game got off to a quick start in favor of the Roadrunners as they led 10-2 in the first 3:31 to play. The Grizzlies responded a number of time to stay within single digits but the Roadrunners managed to stay in front by two or more possessions for much of the first half.
The Roadrunners largest lead of the night was 11 points all of which that came in the first half. After trailing 10-2 early on, the Grizzlies still kept the game within reach going into the break. With 4:33 with left in the half,
Justice Augmon scored a fast break layup to cut the Grizzlies deficit to four, 28-24.
The Roadrunners closed out the half with an 8-2 run to lead by eight at the break. Helping MSU Denver maintain its lead was 13-25 shooting for 52% in the first half. The Grizzlies shot 11-27 for 40.7% but they were just 1-6 from three-point range for 16.7%. The Roadrunners were 6-14 from beyond the arc for 42.9%.
The two teams traded shots early on coming out of the break. The Roadrunners held a 10-point advantage, 43-33, with 15:27 play but neither team scored for the next 1:45. The Grizzlies go within six a few times but the Roadrunner still managed to lead by 10, 49-39, at the midway point of the second half.
Adams State then pieced together a 9-0 run to cut MSU Denver's lead to one at 49-48 with 7:35 to play in regulation. MSU Denver managed to stay up by just one possession but it did not last thanks to a deep triple from
John Dewey.
Dewey hit his three-pointer with 3:20 on the clock to give the Grizzlies a 55-54 lead. The Roadrunners hit a pair of free throws to go back up by one, 56-55, but an 8-0 from the Grizzlies help them grab a seven-point edge. The run made the difference as the Grizzlies held on for the six-point win.
Three Grizzlies scored in double figures with Dewey leading the way with a game-high 18 points. He shot 6-17 from the floor and went 3-5 from three-point range to go along with two steals.
Davere Creighton put up 14 points and a game-high eight boards.
Szymon Walczak rounded things out with 11 points. The Grizzlies finished 23-59 shooting for 39%.
Three Roadrunners also had three players post double-digit points. Druce Asah led the charge with 12 points. Enrique Cortes Zotes and Garrett Carter each chipped in 10 points to round out the double figure scoring. For the night, the Roadrunners finished 22-47 shooting for 46.8%.
The Grizzlies will be home for their next four games. They get their homestand started against Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 11. Tip-off against the Orediggers is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Plachy Hall Gym.
