PORTALES, N.M. — Seini Tuipulotu converted a four-point play and Myah Abeyta followed with a fast-break layup to bring Adams State within eight with 4:31 remaining. The Grizzlies had cut into a 21-point deficit, but Eastern New Mexico scored the final six points to win 67–53 Saturday night at Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena.
First quarter | Adams State 15, Eastern New Mexico 12
Eastern New Mexico opened with back-to-back 3-pointers before Jakovljevic answered with eight straight points. She hit two 3-pointers to tie the game, then put Adams State ahead 8–6 with a fast-break layup. After the Greyhounds tied it at nine, Chears made two free throws to give the Grizzlies the lead again. Marley Pickett added a layup, and LaNiah Hicks scored with 27 seconds left to send Adams State into the second quarter up three.
Second quarter | Eastern New Mexico 38, Adams State 25
Cacia Antonio scored nine straight points to open the quarter, turning a three-point deficit into a 21–15 Eastern New Mexico lead. The Greyhounds held Adams State without a field goal until the final 1:12 and stretched their lead to 38–17. Chears gave the Grizzlies a lift before halftime, scoring eight points in the final 72 seconds on two 3-pointers and a fast-break layup. Her second 3-pointer came with one second left and cut the deficit to 13 at the break.
Third quarter | Eastern New Mexico 55, Adams State 42
Chears opened the Grizzlies' second-half scoring with her third 3-pointer. Jakovljevic added three layups, and Pickett scored inside to pull Adams State within 45–36 with 4:50 left. Eastern New Mexico pushed the lead back to 13, but a Pickett free throw and an Abeyta 3-pointer made it 51–42 with 59 seconds remaining. The Greyhounds scored twice in the final 39 seconds to restore their 13-point lead heading into the fourth.
Fourth quarter | Eastern New Mexico 67, Adams State 53
Abeyta hit a 3-pointer 11 seconds into the quarter to make it 55–45. Eastern New Mexico extended its lead to 61–47 before Tuipulotu sank a 3-pointer through contact and made the free throw with 5:16 left. Abeyta followed with a fast-break layup to make it 61–53, the closest Adams State had been since the second quarter. The Greyhounds held the Grizzlies scoreless the rest of the way.
Jakovljevic shot 6 of 7 from the field and added four rebounds and two steals. Chears hit three 3-pointers and led Adams State with three assists. Abeyta finished with 10 points, a team-high six rebounds and two steals. The Grizzlies made 8 of 18 attempts from beyond the arc.
Up Next: Adams State visits Angelo State on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. MT).
