ODESSA, TEXAS -- Western New Mexico broke open a close game in the second half and went on to beat Adams State 101-91 ion Saturday as the Lone Star-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference challenge came to a close.
The Mustangs, two-time former members of the RMAC, picked up their first win of the season in two starts, while the Grizzlies are looking for their first win after two starts.
Nykolas Lange led Adams State with 17 points and pulled down five rebounds. All five of his baskets were from 3-point range. Jordan Notch added 16, and Rylan O'Brien added 15. Jordan Doss led the Mustangs with 24 points and six rebounds. Avalos added 17.
Adams State did what it could to stay in the contest, similar to its season-opening loss at the University of Texas-Permian Basin. But the Grizzlies' shooting was an issue in the second half. The Grizzlies made just 45 percent of its field goals, and that allowed WNMU, which made 76 percent of its shots from the floor in that second half, to start pulling away.
Avalos started the decisive 13-6 run. His modern 3-point play started things rolling with about seven minutes left. After ASU's Jordan Notch hit a basket for the Grizzlies, Dylan Arnette countered with a 3-point basket and a pair of free throws, and Avalos added yet another 3-pointer.
The first half could have been contested inside a phone booth. Nykolas Lange of the Grizzlies hit a pair of 3-pointers, including one that forged the 46-all tie at the intermission. There were seven ties and seven lead changes in the opening half. ASU's biggest lead was five following baskets on successive possessions by Notch; WNMU's biggest lead was five as well, courtesy of a Malik Johnson 3-pointer and a Robert Banks layup late in the first half. Typical of the contest was a stretch in which WNMU's Andrew Leon hit a 3-pointer, which was followed immediately by an Adams State basket from Tyren Collins.
The Grizzlies head for the Al Kaly Shrine Classic at Colorado State University-Pueblo Friday, Nov. 19. The first of two games in that tournament is against Bacone College out of Oklahoma. Tip time is 5 p.m.
