Awa-Williams' 27 points not enough as Mountain Lions fall to Adams State

ALAMOSA â€" Jazzmin Awa-Williams scored 27 points, the most by a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs player this season, but that wasnâ€^TMt enough to prevent the Mountain Lions from dropping a 78-67 decision to the Adams State Grizzlies Saturday evening at Plachy Hall.

The sophomore from Kailuakona, Hawaii, made 11 of her 20 field goal attempts and 5-of-6 from the foul line in recording her career high scoring total. It was the fourth-highest output by a player since Jessika Caldwell became the coach of the Mountain Lions prior to the 2005-06 season.

“Jazzy had a gutty performance; we knew she was going to have a good game,” said Caldwell. “It was unfortunate that we didnâ€^TMt have people step up around her.”

Awa-Williams scored 16 of the Mountain Lionsâ€^TM final 22 points as UCCS tried in vain to overtake the Grizzlies. UCCS twice closed to within one but could never complete the comeback.

“I was feeling my shot,” said Awa-Williams. “They let me have the right and left down low so I just kept going at them.

“At first it was just going for me so my teammates kept hitting me. (Later) coach said if I had a small girl on me, post up, and if I donâ€^TMt, get open and drive. She wanted us to run (the offense) through me.”

On the first surge, UCCS closed to 40-39, but three consecutive fast break layups by the Grizzlies extended the gap to 46-39 with 15:51 remaining.

Four minutes later, an Ashley Miller layup shrunk the deficit to 50-49, but Adams State answered by scoring the 14 of the next 19 points to create some breathing room.

UCCS never got closer than six the rest of the way.

Miller added 11 points for UCCS (5-8, 3-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference). Nancy Hoist grabbed eight rebounds and matched Janean Jubic with a team-high three assists.

Misti Solomon led Adams State (6-7, 2-3 RMAC) with 21 points, while Jocelyn Pardilla had nine assists.

One night after committing 27 turnovers against Fort Lewis, the Mountain Lions were frugal with the ball Saturday. Their 12 turnovers were their second-lowest total of the season.

But that was overcome by UCCSâ€^TM 32.8 percent shooting. The teamâ€^TMs three worst shooting performances have now come in its past three games.

“Adams State did everything that they needed to do correctly to win,” said Caldwell. “We said that the difference in the game would be defense and rebounding and they won those two categories.”