DENTON, Texas – Despite conceding 23 second-chance points to the No. 4 seeded University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons, Adams State University capitalized on 11 steals to force 20 turnovers, paving the way for a 96-83 victory in the quarterfinals of the South Central Region of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament on Friday night. Adams State is now 3-1 in NCAA Tournament games all-time as they advance to the semifinals for the second time in program history (2011).
"They really came out to play and executed the game plan," said Head Coach Mario Caetano of his teams' performance. "It's just fun to watch this."
Adams State started strong with a 5-2 lead, but the Falcons countered with a 7-0 run, pushing the score to 10-5. Kiyani Antitelu halted the run with a three-pointer, bringing the Grizzlies within two at 10-8, but they trailed 14-9 by the first media timeout.
As the quarter unfolded, Adams State steadily chipped away at the deficit. Kayla Harris ignited a 10-1 surge with two timely three-pointers, giving the Grizzlies a narrow 23-20 advantage after one quarter.
The second frame witnessed a back-and-forth battle for the lead until the Falcons edged ahead 29-27. Adams State responded emphatically with a 7-0 burst, seizing a 34-29 lead. Despite the Falcons tying the game at 35 post-media timeout, Riri Davis took control, draining consecutive three-pointers to propel the Grizzlies to a 42-35 lead, prompting a Falcon timeout with 2:15 left.
Maintaining the momentum, Dominguez extended the lead to double digits with a three-pointer, making it 45-35 with under two minutes remaining. However, in typical postseason fashion, the Falcons retaliated with consecutive treys, prompting Mario Caetano to call a timeout with 1:14 on the clock.
Just before halftime, Harmanie Dominguez stunned the Falcons with a deep three off an inbound play, leaving only 0.9 seconds on the clock as the teams headed to the locker room, with Adams State up 50-44.
The second half saw the Grizzlies jump out to a double-digit lead and led by as many as 12 before the Falcons charged back and cut the lead down to just five with just over a minute and a half left. Davis again took control and closed out the quarter with a three.
The fourth quarter saw Elaina Watson foul out early, but not before she scored 16 points and the Grizzlies maintained their composure late and closed out the game with a 22-16 finish.
Davis was the leading scorer with 23 points as she was 7-of-12 with 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. "Really playing like a team and hitting shots," she noted of the night's success. "I know I play defense, and if I am doing well there, I am having a good night."
Dominguez, who missed her first six shots, then hit seven of nine from the field to finish with 21 points. "My team and my coach help with my confidence," said Dominguez. "There is never a time I can't lean on them."
The Grizzlies, 25-8, face No. 1 seeded Texas Woman's University, 30-4, at 6:30 p.m. (MDT) Saturday in the regional semifinals. TWU defeated No. 8 seeded Colorado School of Mines, 81-72. No. 2 seeded Colorado Mesa, who defeated No. 7 Lubbock Christian, 68-61, will play No. 6 seeded UT Tyler, who dispatched No. 3 seeded Regis 74-54 in the opening round.
