DENVER - A third quarter that saw Adams State Women's Basketball score just three points proved to be the difference maker as they dropped a 60-36 contest to MSU Denver on the road. The loss is the Grizzlies eighth straight loss moves their record to 1-10 overall and 1-6 in RMAC play.

The Grizzlies were held to less than 10 points in each of the first three quarter including just 18 first half points. Going into the fourth quarter, the Roadrunners (5-8, 4-3 RMAC) held a 37-21 lead and never allowed the Grizzlies to get within single digits. The Grizzlies trailed by just four at halftime but were held to three points in the third quarter and never recovered.

Adams State managed just nine points in the opening frame while MSU Denver put up 18 to grab a nine-point lead. Adams State got out 4-0 to start the game off a pair of made shot from Ki'asha Harris and Stephanie Ruiz. 

The Roadrunners responded with an 18-2 run that ate up the majority of the clock for the first quarter before the Grizzlies scored again. Lowendie Laporal hit a layup with 6:50 on the clock to give the Grizzlies a 6-3 lead but the Roadrunners scored 15 unanswered point to lead 18-6.

Zakiya Beckles closed out the first quarter with buzzer beating three-pointer to keep the Grizzlies within nine. The second quarter was the lowest scoring one combined as the two teams put up just 13 total points to close out the first half. The Roadrunners led 22-18 going into the break.

The first made shot of the second quarter did not come until their was 6:46 left in the quarter. MSU Denver scored first before Adams State went on a 9-2 run to close out the first half. Seven of nine Adams State points came from Brooke Neal as she scored all seven in a row to keep the team within two possessions of MSU Denver.

Going into halftime, neither team shot the ball that well. Both teams put up 26 shots with the Grizzlies hitting seven for 26.9%, while the Roadrunners had nine for 34.6%. 

Coming out of the break, MSU Denver created separation and never looked back. A 7-0 run to start the third gave MSU Denver a 29-18 lead with 6:43 on the clock. All three Adams State points came from Neal. She hit a layup and was 1-2 at the free throw line. Going into the final frame, Adams State trailed by 16 points.

The Grizzlies only double-digit quarter came in the fourth as they put up 15 points but the Roadrunners countered with 23. The Grizzlies came close to getting within 10 after Marshell Hollins hit a deep triple to make it a 43-30 game. The Roadrunners responded closing out the game outscoring them 17-6.

The Grizzlies finished just 7-24 shooting for 29.2% while the Roadrunners went 15-30 from the floor for 50%. For the game, the Grizzlies finished 14-50 for 28% and was 5-20 from three-point range for 25%. The Roadrunners were 24-56 for 49.6% while hitting nine triples on 29 attempts for 31%.

Neal led the Grizzlies in scoring with 10 points and was the only player in double figures for the team. Beckles chipped in nine to finish second on the team. Laporal was the Grizzlies leading rebounder with five.

Two from MSU Denver finished in double figures led by Emily Hartegan with 14 points. She posted a double-double as she also had 13 rebounds which was a game-high. Jaelynn Smith flirted with a triple-double night scoring 13 points, tallying 11 assists, and grabbing eight boards. Jonalyn Wittwer chipped in nine points and Mikayla Gonzales grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Grizzlies will return to Alamosa next weekend to start a four-game homestand. They get the stint started on Jan. 11 against Colorado School of Mines. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. inside Plachy Hall Gym.