ALAMOSA, Colo. – Adams State University's women's basketball team was poised to set a school record for their best start in a game during a Saturday night game against the visiting Chadron State College Eagles inside Plachy Hall. However, what initially appeared to be a promising achievement turned into a 27-minute practice session.
With Adams State leading 63-22 and 3:22 left in the third quarter, Chadron State College Head Coach Travis Brewster called a timeout and pulled his squad off the court citing 'player safety'.
Following the timeout, officials convened and declared the game a forfeit.
According to the NCAA Women's Basketball Rule Book, ASU was granted a 2-0 win, and all stats from the game were voided. While coach records and team standings now reflect the win and loss, Adams State boasts a two-game winning streak, standing at 13-6 overall and 8-3 in the RMAC for the season. In contrast, the loss drops CSC to 5-10 overall and 3-8 in RMAC play.
The Grizzlies came out throwing haymakers from all over the court in the first quarter jumping out to what would have been a school record for best start in a game as they led 27-0 before surrendering two free throws in the final minute of the first quarter. Adams State was 8-of-16 from the field including 5-of-9 from beyond the arch.
The second quarter saw the Eagles score 12 points but the Grizzlies continued to lead as they led 50-14 at the halftime break.
Adams State was having a game defensively as they had already forced 27 turnovers, 18 of which were steals by the Grizzlies. The Eagles, who were called for just 13 personal fouls in the game, still had ten players available when the Eagles abandoned the game.
Kiiyani Anitielu was the leading scorer with 18 points as she was 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
Adams State returns to action with just one game next week in Salt Lake City when they take on Westminster on Friday night at 5:00 p.m.
NCAA WBB HANDBOOK RULING: Rule 5, Section 3, Article 5: When a forfeit is declared, the score shall be recorded as 2-0 and all statistics (other than the teams' and head coaches' won-lost records) shall be voided, unless 30 minutes of playing time has been completed on the game clock.
