DURANGO, Colo. – The Adams State women's basketball team put together an all-around dominant performance Tuesday night, cruising to a 79-49 victory over Fort Lewis at Whalen Gymnasium. The Grizzlies controlled the game from start to finish, utilizing strong shooting, tenacious defense, and balanced scoring to notch their 14th win of the season.
With the win, Adams State improved to 14-8 overall and 9-4 in RMAC play, solidifying their position in the conference standings.
The Grizzlies wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to an early lead in the first quarter behind their strong perimeter shooting. Mykaila Pickard was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting six three-pointers on the night and leading all scorers with 18 points.
Adams State held a 14-11 lead after the first quarter and expanded their advantage in the second, using an aggressive defensive approach to stifle the Skyhawks. The Grizzlies forced 17 turnovers in the game and held Fort Lewis to just 32.8% shooting from the field.
By halftime, Adams State led 35-23, with Pickard, Taejhuan Hill, and Kiiyani Anitielu leading the offensive charge.
The second half saw the Grizzlies turn up the intensity even further, outscoring Fort Lewis 44-26 in the final two quarters. Their fourth-quarter explosion of 28 points put the game completely out of reach.
Hill was a force in the paint, recording a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Anitielu also put together a strong performance with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Adams State's depth played a key role in the win, as nine different players found their way into the scoring column. Ri'Ahana Davis contributed 13 points and six rebounds, while Jada Price added nine points and two assists off the bench.
On the defensive end, Adams State's interior presence was felt all game long. The Grizzlies blocked three shots, grabbed 43 total rebounds, and scored 24 points off turnovers. Their defensive intensity limited Fort Lewis to just eight points in the third quarter, preventing any chance of a comeback.
Fort Lewis found little success inside, getting outscored 32-24 in the paint and 16-4 on second-chance points. The Skyhawks also lost the rebounding battle (43-43) despite a strong effort on the offensive glass with 16 boards.
With their second consecutive victory, the Grizzlies are building momentum as they approach the final stretch of the RMAC season. Adams State will look to carry this dominant performance into Thursday when they face New Mexico Highlanda at home. .
