ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies are hosting conference opponents this weekend. They will be playing Regis University on Friday, January 28th, at 5:30 p.m. and No. 5 ranked Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, January 29th, at 5:30 p.m.
These games will be a true test to the Grizzlies and have a possibility to knock the Grizzlies out of playoff position, or raise their standing to be even higher. Currently the Grizzlies are sitting in the 8th seed but still have ten games left. Their overall record is 8-9, while their conference record is 6-6.
The Grizzlies completed a weekend sweep of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes for the first time since Dec. 30th and 31st, 2011 as they downed Western Colorado, 64-47, before defeating Fort Lewis in the final second, 64-62. The Grizzlies are sitting in eighth place in the RMAC. Ruiz is fourth in the RMAC with three-pointers hit (37).
Up first for the Grizzlies is Regis University. In their last matchup, the Grizzlies shocked them Rangers and finished the game victorious on the Grizzlies senior night. The Regis Rangers are entering this weekend as 9-8 overall and 5-6 in conference. They most recently lost to Westminster, 58-58, and Colorado Mesa, 75-61. This is a great matchup for the Grizzlies as they have very similar records. Leading the Rangers is guard Josey Ryan who is averaging with 12.5 points, 26.8 minutes, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Helping her is point guard Tashika Burrell who is averaging 10.3 points, 31.3 minutes, and 2.4 rebounds.
After taking on the Regis Rangers, the Grizzlies are hosting No. 5 ranked Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. The Orediggers are heading into this weekend as being ranked first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
They are currently 16-1 overall and 11-0 conference. The closest team to hang with the Orediggers was Westminster, who lost to them by two in overtime. The Orediggers have already played a game this week as they downed New Mexico Highlands, 108-29, on Wednesday night. Mines broke its program record for points in a single game and also recorded its largest margin of victory behind a complete, team effort.
Leading the Orediggers in Denali Pinto who is averaging in 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 27.5 minutes per game. Assisting her is Courtney Stanton who is averaging 11.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 23.0 minutes. Also, Ashley Steffeck was named Defensive Player of the Week this week after playing Westminster and Colorado Mesa.
This weekend's games will be the annual Make-A-Wish games so ASU Athletics asks that fans bring spare change to donate.
The Grizzlies will be back on the road again next weekend as they head to South Dakota. The first game they will play will be against Black Hills State University Friday, February 4th at 5:30 p.m. They will then travel to Chadron State to play the Eagles at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5th.
