ALAMOSA, Colo.— Trailing by 15 points with just over seven minutes remaining, the Adams State University Grizzlies went on an 11-0 run and eventually tied the game before
Rylan O'Brien scored an and-one to give the Grizzlies an 84-83 lead. The ThunderWolves spoiled the Grizzlies comeback attempt by scoring a basket with three seconds remaining to close out the game 85-84.
The game started and showed it was very apparent how important it was. Both teams came out fast and physically as they were trying to set the tempo. The Grizzlies and the ThunderWolves essentially traded basket for basket as the game was a very close one. By the end of the first half, the ThunderWolves inched away from the Grizzlies as they were up 42-36.
Rylan O'Brien ended the first half with nine points. O'Brien was the closest to being in double digits for the Grizzlies as the ThunderWolves had two players. Micah Lamberth had 12 points as Lian Ramiro had 11.
As the second half began the Grizzlies were battling to get the lead but the ThunderWolves couldn't seem to miss a basket. The Grizzlies started to get hot, but they couldn't stop the ThunderWolves' offense. CSU Pueblo added to their lead, until mid-way through the second half. The Grizzlies slowly inched their way back as with 3:37 minutes left in the game they were only down by seven. After a three-pointer from
Nykolas Lange, which were his first point of the game, the Grizzlies gained the momentum.
Malik Moore also came alive in the second half as his free throws got the game to within three. Two great defensive stops the Grizzlies led to them tying up the game at 81 with 34.2 seconds left in the game. The ThunderWolves went to the foul then and hit both but with seven seconds left O'Brien got the and one which made the Grizzlies up by one. This wasn't enough as the ThunderWolves made a basket as the game clock went out.
ASU's
Malik Moore and
Rylan O'Brien led the Grizzlies' offensive output. Moore finished with a team-high 29 points plus a team-best seven rebounds. O'Brien scored 16, and
Tyrin Hollis contributed a dozen.
The Grizzlies and the ThunderWolves are both now 7-7 on the season. The next game for the Grizzlies is on January 14th against University Colorado Colorado Springs.