CANYON, Texas – The Adams State Grizzlies Men's Basketball team dropped their season opener to non-conference opponent West Texas A&M University Friday evening 77-108 on the road, in what was the first look at the 2019-2020 team. The Grizzlies' leader in points and assists on the game was newly added graduate senior guard Juwan Green, who registered 20 points to go along three assists on the evening.
 
The Grizzlies were able to get a look at every player who made the trip, as every player who was suited up in Adams State green got playing time in the game. Unfortunately, they were at a size disadvantage up against the Buffaloes, but were not largely outrebounded, with the team rebound margin being 35-40 in favor of the Buffaloes. The Grizzlies were down big at the half 41-66, and it would be simply too much ground to make up in the end. They now sit at 0-1 on the young season.
 
With a feature of the offense being the strong guard talent, the Grizzlies had a tough time from long range, going just 5 for 23 from the three-point line. This is an area that will be expected to improve, as the Grizzlies have had a strong cast of shooters over the years, and is a focal point in the offense.
 
The Grizzlies also turned the ball over more than they would have liked, and West Texas took full advantage of the mistakes, totaling 33 points off of Adams State turnovers. With this being the first game for a team with plenty of fresh faces still gelling, this is also something that is sure to improve in the coming weeks.
 
Graduate senior Juwan Green was Adams State's leading scorer on the evening, tallying 20 points on 7-12 shooting. He was 1-3 from three point range and 5-6 from the free throw line, also dishing out three assists and grabbing five boards. In an offense that has featured the point guard as a primary scorer in recent years, Green hopes to be the next good one to put on Grizzly green. His downfall of the evening was his eight turnovers, which in the end proved costly for the Grizzlies. He hopes to have another strong scoring night against UT-Permian Basin on Saturday.
 
A bright spot for the Grizzlies on offense to go along with Green's solid scoring night was senior Rickey Norris' five offensive rebounds. Norris was ninth in total rebounding in the RMAC last season, and his 7 rebounds on the evening were right around his average from a season ago of 6.7. He also contributed nine points and two assists in 20 minutes off the bench.
 
Junior transfer Kaelin Crane was perhaps the most efficient Grizzly in the game, as he was inserted into the starting lineup and tallied 13 points in 21 minutes. Crane was five of six from the field hitting his only three point attempt and going two for two from the free throw line. He looks to be a key player in the Grizzlies' offense moving forward.
The Grizzlies look to regroup and get ready for their second game of a back to back road split in Texas this weekend, as they travel to Odessa to take on UT-Permian Basin. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.