ALAMOSA, Colo. --- The New Mexico Highlands men's basketball team had its five-game winning streak snapped as the Cowboys fell to Adams State 85-81 in their RMAC opener at Plachy Hall.
The Cowboys (5-2 overall, 0-1 RMAC), which held a lead for much of the second half, led 73-72 with 1:34 remaining after a
Ja' Vary Christmas jumper.
The Grizzlies (5-2, 1-0) answered with a three-point play 13 seconds later to take a 75-73 advantage.The deficit was 77-76 with 41 seconds remaining after a
Desmond Carpenter bucket - but Adams State went 8-for-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to close out the game as the Cowboys couldn't answer.
Carpenter led NMHU 21 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals.
Marcus Brown had 15 points to go along with three steals and three assists,
Andre Adams had 12 points and four rebounds and Christmas finished with 11 points.
The Cowboys shot 50.9 percent from the field, including 7-for-16 from 3-point range - but were 18-for-29 from the free throw line. Compare that to Adams State going 18-for-19 from the line to go along with shooting 52.7 percent from the field (9-for-23 from 3-point range).
NMHU returns to action Saturday night at CSU Pueblo.
