ALAMOSA – The Adams State University women’s basketball team played its first home game of the season on Thursday as it hosted Eastern New Mexico University at Plachy Hall gym.

It was not a good home opener for the Lady Grizzlies as they lost to the Lady Greyhounds 70-58.

Elaina Watson scored the first points of the game for ASU, but Jaz Salon hit a 3-point basket for Eastern New Mexico. Kiiyani Anitielu’s jumper put the Lady Grizzlies back into the lead, but that would be the last time they wound be in front.

Salon hit a short jumper to put the Lady Greyhounds back into the lead. That sparked a 10-0 run in which ENMU took a 13-4 advantage.

Christabel Longe ended the run with a jump shot, and she then made one of two from the free throw line to cut the deficit to 13-7.

Tatiana Hodges-Johnson made two straight baskets, but Angeline Nageak drained a trey to reduce the Eastern New Mexico lead to 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded 3-pointers to open the second quarter before Kayla Harris drove for a layup to cut the ENMU lead to 23-18.

The Lady Greyhounds then went on a 13-2 run to take their largest lead of the game at 36-20. But Anitielu scored two layups and Harmanie Domiguez drained a trey to bring the Lady Grizzlies within 36-27 at halftime.

Watson scored a layup to open the third quarter, but Vanessa Oduah drove for a layup for the Lady Greyhounds. Watson then split at the line, but so did Jamila Nansikombi-Gunter and ENMU led 39-30.

Nageak then drained two 3-pointers to bring the Lady Grizzlies within 39-36. But the Lady Greyhounds went on a 4-2 run to increase their lead to 43-38.

Nageak drove for a layup, but ENMU had a 6-2 tun for a 50-42 advantage.

Watson made two free throws with less than a second left in the period to close the margin to 50-44.

Dominguez made a layup and Riahana Davis made one of two free throws to reduce the deficit to 50-47. But Eastern New Mexico went on a 9-2 run to extend its lead to 59-49.

Harris made two free throws and Nageak drove for a layup to bring Adams State within 59-53. Deja Adrian scored in the paint for ENMU, but Nageak did the same. Salon’s layup made the score 63-55, buy Watson made a layup and added a free throw to bring the Lady Grizzlies within 63-58.

But Nansikombi-Gunter scored the final seven points, including five free throws, to wrap up the scoring.

Three Lady Grizzlies scored in double figures with Nageak leading the way with 17 points. Anitielu scored 14 and Watson added 12.

Salon led all scorers with 21 points. Oduah scored 16 and Nansikombi-Gunter scored 13.

Eastern New Mexico outrebounded Adams State 49-28. Davis led the Lady Grizzlies with five rebounds, and Nansikombi-Gunter led the Lady Greyhounds with 14.

Adams State (3-2) will continue its home stand on Saturday as it will host Texas A&M-Kingsville. The opening tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. at Plachy Hall.

Eastern New Mexico 70, Adams State 58

Eastern New Mexico – Adrian 2-9 1-2 5, Salon 8-12 2-3 21, Shipley 1-3 1-2 4, Oduah 5-11 5-6 16, Nansikombi-Gunter 6-13 1-2 13, Whyte 2-4 1-2 5, Waddell 0-0 0-0 0, Hodges Johnson 2-4 2-2 6, Laurie Calixte 0-0 0-0 0. Total 26-56 13-19 70.

3-point goals – Adrian 0-1, Salon 3-4, Shipley 1-3, Oduah 1-3, Nansikombi-Gunter 0-1. Total 5-12.

Adams State – Longe 1-5 1-2 3, Dominguez 2-8 0-0 5, Nageak 7-11 0-1 17, Watson 4-13 4-6 12, Davis 0-3 1-2 1, Paulk 0-1 0-0 0, Harris 1-4 2-2 4, John 1-5 0-0 2, Caldon 0-1 0-0 0, Anitielu 6-11 0-1 14. Total 22-62 8-14 58.

3-point goals – Longe 0-1, Dominguez 1-5, Nageak 3-3, Watson 0-3, Harris 0-1, Caldon 0-1, Anitielu 2-4. Total 6-18.

ENMU 17 19 14 20 – 70

Adams State 10 17 17 14 – 58

Rebounds – Eastern New Mexico 49 (Nansikombi-Gunter 14), Adams State 28 (Davis 5). Assists Eastern New Mexico 12 (three players with three), Adams State 14 Nageak, Watson 4). Steals – Eastern New Mexico 5 (five players with one), Adams State 14 (Four players with two.). Fouls – Eastern New Mexico 18, Adams State 21. Fouled out – Harris. Technical fouls – Harris, Adams State bench 2. Turnovers – Eastern New Mexico 25, Adams State 12. Attendance – 645.