by anyon, Texas –– In a thrilling neutral-site contest in Canyon, Texas, Adams State eked out a hard-fought 68-65 victory over Texas Permian Basin on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Grizzlies’ record to 6-4 overall.
Adams State leaned on a collective team effort, highlighted by a stellar performance from Kiiyani Anitielu, who led all scorers with 24 points. Anitielu shot an efficient 9-for-19 from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, while also contributing three rebounds and two blocks. Angelline Nageak filled up the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, and six assists, showcasing her versatility.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a strong start, building an early lead with a 20-point first quarter. However, a sluggish nine-point second quarter allowed Texas Permian Basin to claw back and take a slight advantage into halftime.
The third quarter saw Adams State reclaim momentum, outscoring their opponents 21-15. With both teams trading blows in the final frame, it was the Grizzlies’ clutch shooting and defensive stops in the closing minutes that sealed the victory.
Adams State’s defense played a key role, forcing 20 turnovers and racking up 15 steals. Brooke Rodgers and Elaina Watson were instrumental, combining for seven steals between them. The Grizzlies capitalized on these opportunities, scoring 20 points off turnovers.
