ODESSA, Texas—Adams State University's men's basketball team made their long-awaited season opener on Friday night. They rallied by as many as 15 points and battled back to just one point  with eight seconds left before ultimately falling 79-77 to the University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons.

Adams State led 10-5 but over a span of 2:44 they were held scoreless and outscored 12-0 before Hayden Meakes broke that streak with a layup at the 10:29 mark of the half. In the first 12 minutes of the game, Adams State was 0-of-6 from beyond the arch.

With Adams State trailing 42-31 at the break, they came out early and cut the nine-point lead slowly before pulling within one in a strategical battle later.

Adams State was 28-of-55 (50.9 percent) from the field and 6-of-20 (30 percent) from beyond the arch. At the free throw line, Adams State was 15-of-18 (83.3 percent). The Grizzlies had five players in double figures with Rylan O'Brien leading the charge with 15 points despite being 4-of-16 from the field. Three of his shots were from three-point land.

The Grizzlies will be back in action on Saturday at noon (Mountain Time) when they take on Western New Mexico.