GUNNISON, Colorado — With an all-around great team performance, the Grizzlies outlast Western Colorado in a back-and-forth game that finished 81-77 in favor of Adams State. The win gives the Grizzlies their sixth straight win and moves them to a record of 16-7(10-5 RMAC). The Thursday night win also moves the Grizzlies into fifth place in conference play with just 5 games remaining in the conference regular season. The Grizzlies will look to continue this outstanding play, as they eye a top 4 finish in conference going into the conference tournament at the end of the regular season.
In tonight's win the Grizzlies pulled out a game that ultimately came down to the final few seconds. In tonight's game, the game was so close by the final buzzer, Western Colorado and Adams State finished with 10 ties, and 12 lead changes over the 40 minute game. The final deciding factor was the Grizzlies ability to pull away late in the second half with a 13-4 run in the final 8 minutes of the game. This run gave the Grizzlies a late 77-68 lead, their largest of the game and was just enough for Adams State to hold on late to earn their sixth straight win.
Diving into tonight's team statistics, the Grizzlies had an edge in almost every single category by the finish of tonight's game. This included the Grizzlies finishing with a better overall shooting percentage, a better 3-point percentage, and a better free throw percentage. On the night, the Grizzlies finished shooting 46.3% from the floor, 40.9% from the 3-point line, and 83.3% from the free throw line giving the Grizzlies the offensive advantage in tonight's game. On top of the offensive advantage the Grizzlies held, Adams State finished with the advantage in both offensive and defensive rebounds, out rebounding Western Colorado 42-33 overall, 14-9 in offensive rebounds, and 28-24 in defensive rebounds. The Grizzlies also collected more steals, collected more assists, led the game in bench points and fastbreak points, and finished with the lead in points off turnovers. Overall, even with the final being close at the end of the second half, the Grizzlies really held the edge statistically throughout tonight's game.
Individually tonight, the Grizzlies were led by the outstanding individual performance of Wyatt Helming. Helming finished the night with a team lead 32 points on 13 of 20 shooting, while going 5 for 7 from the 3-point line, and making his one free throw attempt on the night. Helming also finished tied for second in rebounds with 6, tied for second in assists with 2, and tied for the team lead in blocks with 1. Helming's outstanding all-around performance really led the way for the Grizzlies and allowed the fellow Grizzlies to put the finishing touching on tonight's win.
Following the lead of Helming tonight was Dillan Baker, Luke Williams, and Jerrick Guidry who all finished the night in double-figures. Baker and Williams both finished with 13 points finishing tied for second in points, while Guidry finished the night with 10 points off of the bench. For Baker, he finished the night 5 for 11 from the floor, while collecting 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block. Williams finished 4 for 10 from the floor, while collecting 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal. For Guidy, he finished shooting 3 for 7 from the floor, while collecting 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Guidy's 6 rebounds finished tied for second on the team and his 2 steals finished tied for the team lead giving him an impactful game off of the bench in tonight's win.
Up next for the Grizzlies, will be a game against Westminster University, this Saturday, February 14th. Saturday's game will be played in Salt Lake City, Utah at the home of Westminster, with the game being played at 3 PM MST. For the Grizzlies, they will look to continue their outstanding play as they seek out their seventh straight win against Westminster. Westminster is currently 4-11 in RMAC conference play meaning that Saturday's game will be another great opportunity for the Grizzlies to continue their rise up the RMAC conference standings.
