ALAMOSA, Colo.--The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs jumped out to an early lead and beat Adams State 85-78 in Plachy Hall on Saturday.

The Mountain Lions improved to 7-1, 2-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Grizzlies slipped to 5-3 overall, 1-1 in conference play.

Alijah Comithier led the Mountain Lions with 23 points. Jon'il Fugett was next with 16, and William Becker added 10. Rylan O'Brien led Adams State with 23 points. Nykolas Lange scored 14, and Jordan Notch tossed in a dozen. Cody Frederickson had 11.

Jezza McKenzie dished out five assists for UCCS. Geoff Kelly added four. O'Brien and Frederickson had three assists for Adams State.

UCCS had an eight-point lead at the break, even though the Grizzlies outshot UCCS in the first half by almost 11 percentage points. The difference in those first 20 minutes was rebounding. UCCS had 14 more rebounds that turned into 21 second-chance points. By contrast, Adams State had just eight second-chance points in the first half. 

UCCS steadily pulled away in the second half. At one time, the Lions enjoyed a 16-point lead.

UCCS outrebounded the Grizzlies 45-27. Malik Moore had a team-high six caroms for ASU. O'Brien, Frederickson and Notch had four. Comithier had a game-high 10 boards for the Mountain Lions. Johnnie Jones III had eight, and McKenzie and William Becker had six.

ASU will try to get back on the winning side of the ledger Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Colorado State University Pueblo. Tip time is 7:30 p.m.