ALAMOSA, Colo.—Despite being down by 11 points in the first half, the Adams State University Grizzlies rallied in the second frame to force overtime in Saturday night's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) game against the Westminster Griffins. The Grizzlies then rallied in overtime to force a second overtime before sealing the win, 101-96.
Adams State, 11-12 overall and 7-10 in the RMAC, improved to 3-1 when they have forced overtime.
The Grizzlies trailed 34-30 after the first half. Adams State finished with a 19-4 run and outscored the Griffins, 42-38.
Westminster finished with the 33-28 rebounding advantage and a 40-32 advantage in points in the paint but late-game shooting from the Grizzlies proved the difference in a game that saw 12 ties and 12 lead changes.
Adams State finished regulation on a 9-2 run to force overtime but Westminster was still able to edge out a five-point lead with only 15 seconds to play in the first extra frame.
Rylan O'Brien converted on a four-point play to get back within one possession with 10 seconds to play, and after Reme Torbert converted a pair of free throws to put Westminster back in front by three,
Tyrin Hollis banked in a three at the final buzzer to even the game at 87-87 and force a second overtime.
Westminster scored on back-to-back offensive possessions, taking a three-point lead into the final 120 seconds of the second overtime, but the Griffins were unable to answer the Grizzlies' offense in the final minute as an ASU went back in front 97-96 on a made three-pointer from
Nykolas Lange. The Grizzlies added to their lead at the free throw line in the closing seconds for their third overtime win of the season.
Kalin Crane led the Grizzlies with 21 points,
Rylan O'Brien had 10,
Nykolas Lange had 18,
Malik Moore finished in 12 and
Jordan Notch finished with 10.
The Grizzlies shot exceptionally well from the free throw line as they hit 22-of-25 including a perfect 15-of-15 after the halftime break.
Adams State is now tied for eighth place in the RMAC with New Mexico Highlands. The Grizzlies own the tiebreaker by virtue of their 85-81 win inside Plachy Hall on Dec. 3rd. The two teams will. However, meet up on Tuesday, Feb. 15th at 6:00 p.m. in Las Vegas, N.M.. The Grizzlies will return home for two more key games. They host Fort Lewis on Friday and Western Colorado on Saturday.
