Rachel Heaton
The Paw Print
An abundance of students and community members arrived at Plachy Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to support the men’s basketball team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Shootout. The number three Grizzlies took on the number six Fort Lewis Skyhawks, with the winner advancing onto the RMAC Shootout semifinals in Pueblo. Unfortunately, ASC was unable to hold on and fell 77-73 in overtime.
The game was close for most of the night, with the Grizzlies only holding a ten point lead at half time. A Fort Lewis 3-pointer at the buzzer signaling the end of regulation sent the game into a five minute overtime period. In the end, it was Fort Lewis who capitalized on a few missed free throws from ASC and finished the game on top.
Senior Marqus Richards (Los Angeles, Calif.) scored 19 points for the Grizzlies, while juniors Kaimyn Pruitt (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Jack Osborn (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) put up 16 and 12 points respectively. Also in the double digits for the night was senior Deray Wilson with 11 points.
With the loss, the Grizzlies fall to 19-8 overall and 15-7 in RMAC play.
Over the weekend, the Grizzlies hosted their two final regular season games of the year. ASC only needed to win one of the two matchups in order to host Tuesday’s RMAC Shootout game.
On Friday, the Grizzlies pulled out a 98-92 victory over the visiting Colorado Mesa University Mavericks. Richards led the Grizzlies for the night, contributing 26 points and going 10-15 from the free throw line. Senior Jamiko Verner (Denver, Colo.) recorded eight steals and fifteen points.
There were 68 fouls called on the night. Thirty-five went against the Grizzlies, while the other thirty-three were whistled on the Mavericks. Pruitt, Osborn, and senior Robby Hanzlik (Denver, Colo.) each fouled out. Osborn scored 11 points and had 12 rebounds before leaving the game.
The win helped the Grizzlies remain undefeated at home this season.
On Saturday, ASC faced RMAC rival Western State in the final regular season action and the senior’s final games in front of the home crowd. Verner, Richards, Hanzlik, Wilson, and Shayar Lee (Phoenix, Ariz.) were honored for their contributions to the team as the five Grizzly seniors.
In the end, the Mountaineers pulled out on top 70-62 and spoiled the Grizzlies’ home winning streak.
Wilson contributed 24 points on the night, while Hanzlik was good for eight more.
Richards was 7-10 from the field, scoring 16 points and adding seven rebounds.
Saturday was also Hawaiian Night, and fans dressed in a wide variety of Hawaiian attire as well as Hawaiian Night shirts sold by the women’s basketball team.
The Grizzlies must now wait to see if they are selected for the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament. Selection will take place on Sunday.
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