Spearfish, S.D. – The Black Hills State men's basketball team fell to the Adams State Grizzlies by a score of 80-66 on Friday night.

The Jackets played well in the first half, erasing an early 9-24 deficit to pull within one, 29-30, with five minutes left to play. Efficient free throw shooting and solid defense helped spark the run. A Joey Mitchell three-point with three seconds left brought the Jackets within three, 37-40, going into halftime.

"It was a very physical first half, and they came out strong," said head coach Bradd Schafer. "We were a little flat to start, but we got some momentum and got some things to go our way and were able to get back in it."

 The Jackets were led by Mitchell and Tanner Adler who both had 11 in the first half. Senior Ryan Allen had five points off the bench in the period.

"Ryan did a great job for us tonight," said Schafer. "You know, he rebounds, he defends, and he works hard. He did some really good things for us tonight."

Black Hills State went back-and-forward with Adams State to start the second half. The Jackets trailed by three, 50-53, with 14:40 left play, but that is as close as they would get. The Grizzlies went on a 14-1 run over a four minute span to pull away. Black Hills State struggled from behind the arc in the second, missing all of their nine three point attempts. The Jackets fell to the Grizzlies by a score of 80-66.

The Jackets will resume play Saturday, as they take on the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at 7:30 in Spearfish.