Box Score
DURANGO, Colo. — Adams State (14-4 overall, 10-4 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) scored the only four points of the final minute to defeat Fort Lewis (9-9, 7-7) 70-69 in Whalen Gymnasium.
The last-minute comeback offset another behemoth night for Skyhawk center
Matt Morris, who notched is tenth double-double of the season with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Morris went 12-of-15 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line while adding a two blocks and a pair of assists.
“He's been doing that all year for us,” said 16th-year FLC head coach
Bob Hofman, who saw his squad drop their second straight one-point loss on their home court.
Tonight's loss was particularly frustrating for the Skyhawk faithful. Fort Lewis scored just one field goal in the final five minutes — a layup by Morris with 4:34 left — and four total points in that stretch.
The physical play tilted in the Grizzlies' favor in the final minute. Adams State's physical defense near midcourt knocked down
Marcus Ayala, setting up a fast break layup by Kaimyn Pruitt to trim the lead to 69-68. Pruitt fought through Morris for a rebound and putback with 17 seconds put the ASC on top 70-69.
Fort Lewis worked the ball inside to Morris for a scoring chance in the final 10 seconds, but Pruitt muscled away Morris' layup attempt and drew a foul on the rebound. His errant charity shot was rebounded by Jamiko Verner, who was quickly fouled. Werner's free throw also drew iron and was corralled by Morris with four seconds left, setting up a desperation three-point shot by FLC's
Matthias Weissl that missed at the buzzer.
Weissl was key to a Fort Lewis rally, hitting a trio of treys in a three-minute stretch midway through the second half to lift FLC from a five-point deficit (47-42 with 13 minutes remaining) to a six-point lead (57-51).
“That was the best he's played,” Hofman said of Weissl, who finished with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from behind the arc.
Matt Billups was the only other Skyhawk in double figures with 12 points.
Fort Lewis shot a respectable 48.1 percent from the field (26 of 54), 39.1 percent from three-point land (nine of 23), and 72.7 percent from the free throw line (eight of 11), but committed too many turnovers (20).
The Grizzlies nearly gave the game away at the foul line, making just 12 of 22 free throws (54.5 percent).
Adams State's defense, which registered 15 steals and four blocks, kept them in the game. Verner led the way with seven thefts.
Pruitt was ASC's top scorer and rebounder, with 17 points and nine caroms. Robby Hanzlik added 14 points, while Marqus Richards had 12.
Fort Lewis logged 20 assists, many coming while pounding the ball inside to Morris. Others came on skip passes across the top to wide-open shooters on three-pointers.
Josh Cassaday had a career-high six helpers for FLC, while
Torrey Udall and Ayala had four each.
The Skyhawks will try to get back on the winning track next weekend when they host Western New Mexico (8-11, 8-7) on Friday and New Mexico Highlands (10-9, 8-7) on Saturday. Tipoff for both games is 7:30 p.m.
