ALAMOSA, Colo. – Blessing Adesipe nearly doubled a season-high with 30 points and Chadron State cut a 24-point second-half deficit down to eight, but Adams State defeated the Eagle men's basketball team 93-83 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men's basketball game played on Saturday night.

The win improved the Grizzlies' RMAC record to 11-7 and clinched a berth in the conference playoffs that will begin in early March. Each RMAC team has just two more conference games to play this weekend. Chadron State is now 6-20 overall and 4-14 in the RMAC.

Adams State led all the way and outscored Chadron State 16-5 in the last six minutes of the first half to take 42-26 halftime lead, but as has been the trend the last two weeks, the Eagles rallied and played much better in the second half. In the last four games, they have now averaged 27.2 points in the first half and 48.7 in the second.

Saturday night's stats vividly illustrate the pattern. The Eagles were just 11 of 33 from the field, made only one of 10 three-point shots and missed five of their eight free throws int the first half. In the second half, they were 18-of-44 (41%) from the field, nailed 8 of 15 shots from behind the arc and made all 13 of their free throws. 

Adesipe, a 6-foot-6 graduate student, was the Eagles' pacesetter, pouring in a season high 30 points (well over hiis previous high of 16). Adesipe made 9 of 13 field goals, including 3 of 5 on treys, and sank all nine of his free throws. He also was the game's leading rebounder with nine.

Adesipe becomes the second CSC player to score 30 in a game this season alongside Mack Keighran, who scored 30 the last time that CSC played Adams State on January 15.

Keighran scored 15 points on Saturday while fellow junior guard Jadon Cool scored 13 points. Junior forward Collin Nick, who came into the game averaging just 2.1 points per game, chipped in 12.

In addition, Brady Daniels, a freshman from Chadron who is redshirting this season, played for the first time and hit a three-pointer on his only shot. Freshmen are allowed to play a few games without using a year of eligibility. 

Unfortunately, leading scorer Isaiah Randolph did not make the scoring column while going 0 of 8 from the field and 0-2 at the line.

The Grizzlies shot 34-64 (53%) from the field and were 10 of 27 (37%) from long range. They had five players score in double figures. Jarmell Johnson led with 17 points, Luke Williams had 16, Dillan Baker and Jayce King both 15 and Wyatt Helming 12. All are seniors except King, who is a freshman. 

The Eagles close the year with two home games next week, facing Western Colorado on Thursday and Westminster on Saturday.

Chadron State—Blessing Adesipe 30, Mack Keighran 15, Jadon Cool 13, Collin Nick 12, Luka Djorovic 6, Brady Daniels 3, Zach Smith 2, Jovan Jovanovic 2. Totals: 29-77 FG, (9-25 3PT), 16-21 FT 83 points, 37 rebounds, 22 assists, 13 turnovers.

Adams State—Jarmell Johnson 17, Luke Williams 16, Dillan Baker 15, Jayce King 15, Wyatt Helming 12, Emilek Jallow 6, Jaylen Alexander 4, Tajuan Jamestown 4, Ivan Dorn Jr, 3, Jerrick Guidry 2. Totals: 34-64 FG, (10-27 3PT) 15-21 FT, 93 points, 39 rebounds, 21 assists, 19 turnovers.