GOLDEN, Colo.—Like Adams State University men's basketball team, the No. 1 team in the country had a long layoff as 26 days after their last game, the Orediggers did not stutter as they won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) game 86-70.

The Orediggers (9-0, 8-0 RMAC), who last played Jan. 4 in an overtime win at Black Hills State and endured six COVID-19-related cancellations and postponements, came out slow as they missed their first three shots.

Adams State opened the game with a deep three by Nykolas Lange and rallied around three field goals and got an exciting dunk by Frederick Jackson to take a 7-6 lead into the first media timeout. The two teams then traded several fouls and Adams State collected their seventh before the second media timeout, however, they capitalized on their given opportunities and gained the lead back with 11:14 remaining, 13-12.

The Orediggers then jumped out to a 21-15 lead but Adams State maintained striking distance until Mines went on an 8-0 run over four minutes to take an 11-point lead 35-24 with two minutes remaining in the opening half. Adams State went into the half trailing 40-28.

Adams State could not stop a 9-0 run by the Orediggers and they trailed 46-28. Adams State could not retaliate against the strong defense by the Orediggers and the lead continued to grow.

Adams State was led by Destan Williams for the second straight game as he scored 24 points by going 7-of-19 from the field, and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. As a team, Adams State shot 35.1 percent (20-of-57) from the field, 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from beyond the arch, and 83.9 (26-of-31) from the free-throw line.

Adams State, now 5-4 overall and on the season, will be back in action for three scheduled games next week. The Grizzlies are set to host Fort Lewis at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Black Hills State on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Chadron State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.