ALAMOSA, Colo. – It seems like the recipe that Head Coach Mario Caetano concocted this season for the Adams State University women's basketball team is gradually coming to fruition. Saturday night witnessed sophomore Harmanie Dominguez reach the boiling point as she shattered two single-game school records in a commanding 91-60 victory over the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) action.
Despite a modest 2-of-5 performance from inside the arch, Dominguez showcased her proficiency from beyond, setting a new school record with ten three-pointers on 16 attempts. Having already equaled the previous mark of eight, held by ASU Hall of Famer Vera Jo Bustos, earlier in the year against the University of Alaska Anchorage, Dominguez expressed her determination to surpass the record.
"I needed to beat the record; everyone congratulated me on tying it, but I wasn't content," said Dominguez post-game.
According to the NCAA Division II record book, Dominguez fell just one short of the RMAC record of 11, held by Jonalyn Wittwer of MSU Denver, set on Jan. 19, 2019, against N.M. Highlands.
"I didn't know I was even close until Coach (Stephanie) Ruiz said, 'you need two more.' I was like, 'wow, really?'" recounted Dominguez as the record approached.
With steam seemingly rising off her hot hands, a floating jumper at 2:08 tied the Grizzlies' single-game scoring record at 36 points, previously held by Bustos. A foul at 1:30 sent Dominguez to the free-throw line, where, after missing the first, she nailed the second for a record-setting 37th point, prompting a previously silent crowd inside Plachy Hall to erupt in a standing ovation.
The bucket marked her 24th point of the second half, just falling short of an RMAC record, as the previous record was 25 points, once again held by Bustos in the second half of a game at Fort Lewis College in 2011.
"I have to give credit for this to my coaches and my teammates; without those opportunities, I wouldn't get this. My team kicks me the ball to help me get this record," noted Dominguez. "It's the support and energy we get; they are even more excited for me than I am."
The Grizzlies took an early lead, outscoring the Cowgirls 21-12 in the first quarter and extending it to 50-28, a 22-point advantage, at halftime with a 29-16 second-quarter performance. They maintained their dominance, scoring 20 points in the third and 21 in the fourth, while holding the Cowgirls to 16 points in each quarter.
Dominguez's stellar scoring, combined with three steals, five rebounds, and a steal, couldn't overshadow other notable performances, including a 17-point showing by Riri Davis and a three-steal and five-assist performance by Kayla Harris.
As a team, the Grizzlies shot an impressive 52.5 percent (32-of-61) from the field, including 50 percent (15-of-30) from beyond the arch.
With this win, the Grizzlies extend their winning streak to six games, boasting a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 4-0 record in the RMAC. They join Colorado School of Mines, 9-1 overall, as the only undefeated teams in conference play.
"This has brought the team together, but the job's not finished," Dominguez emphasized, still stunned to hold not one but two single-game records.
The Grizzlies will be back in action on Friday when they host the Colorado Mesa University basketball team at a special tip-off time of 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.
