Alamosa, Colo – Adams State University began their season on a high note with an intense 88-80 win over Western New Mexico at Plachy Hall on Saturday. The Grizzlies' fast-paced play and strong defensive efforts propelled them to victory in the hard-fought match-up from start to finish.

The game saw an even contest in the first half, with Adams State taking a narrow 40-38 lead into halftime. Western New Mexico applied pressure early on, with Quincy Adams leading their scoring effort by putting up 21 points, hitting 9 of 11 free throws, and making a key contribution on the boards with 6 rebounds. Western New Mexico also managed to keep the game close by scoring 44 points in the paint.

Jude Tapia led the Grizzlies with a standout performance, netting 21 points shooting from the floor, including three three-pointers on five attempts. Tapia's offensive efforts were complemented by Ta'Veus Randle, who added 17 points and capitalized on key scoring opportunities late in the game.

John Harge was another strong contributor for the Grizzlies, securing a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Harge's presence on the glass was vital, as Adams State edged out Western New Mexico 38-37 in total rebounds, giving the Grizzlies the extra possessions they needed to keep their lead.

In the second half, Adams State turned up the intensity, outscoring Western New Mexico 48-42. The Grizzlies' three-point shooting also helped open up the game, as they connected on 9 of 26 from beyond the arc compared to Western New Mexico's 3-for-11 performance from deep. This shooting advantage gave Adams State the edge to pull away in the latter stages.

"This was a good start to the year and I am proud of how the scoring was balanced among the guys. They're still a lot of things for us to clean up," said Head Coach Kenny Tripp.

With this win, Adams State opens the season 1-0, before taking on UTPB at 11 a.m. tomorrow.