STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Angelo State men's basketball team earned its first victory of the 2015-16 season, 75-71, over Adams State Friday afternoon in a close first game of the Texan Tip-off Classic.

After making a historic run to the NCAA DII Sweet 16 last year, the Rams are out of the gate with a 1-0. This win marked the first win of Cinco Boone's head coaching career at Angelo State. Also playing its first game of the season the Adams State Grizzlies dropped to 0-1.

"It felt like it was a back and forth game," said men's basketball head coach Boone. "I think we shared the ball well late in the game. We have been working with them on sharing the basketball whenever you drive and that when help comes you have to find the extra guy and we did that and made some shots towards the end."

Junior Shelton Boykin led the Rams offensive attack with 18 points on the night. The guard also shot 100% from the free throw line dropping four of four for the afternoon and tallied 8 total rebounds. Forward Omari Gudul added a double-double for his first of the year and third of his ASU career with 11 points and 11 rebounds. He was 4-5 shooting and 3-4 from the foul line.

"I think that Omari [Gudul] rebounded the ball very well and in the first half he plug up some hole for us when they were trying to get some penetration on us," commented Boone. "We are glad to see he got a double-double for us on his first game out this season."   

Rounding out the starting line-up leaders, Tre Bennett contributed 15 points and was also a perfect 5-5 on free throws. Playing an integral sixth man role, Prince Foster led the team in the blocks (5) and steals (3) categories. The Miami native also added 14 points and 3 rebounds to Angelo State's cause.      

Free throws were the name of the game for ASU in the first period, as the Rams were 91.67% from the line stroking 11 of 12. Angelo State also took advantage of several turnovers scoring 10 point off them. The Rams outscored Adams State in the paint 12-6.

With score 4-14 and clock at 14:45 in the first, the Rams overcame the deficit by kicking off a 17-7 spurt with a pair of free throws from Boykin. The run included 3-pointers from Gustavs Puhovs and Bennett, with Stedman Allen and Foster dropping two free throws a piece which brought the score even at 21-21. With a block from Foster, DeVonte' Pratt would snag the defensive and pass the ball up court to Boykin on the fast break which ended with a layup and the Rams taking the lead for the first time of the afternoon. ASU would continue the run adding another 11 points to lead before the Grizzlies would finally answer with a three to take the score to 32-24. Angelo State's Pratt would drain a three to take the squad into halftime with a 36-31 lead.

In the second period it was again a story of consistency from the foul line with the Rams marking an 81.25% proficiency rating by going 13 of 16. ASU would also see great support from its bench with 16 second period bench points. The squad would also drain in 18 points from within the paint.        

Coming out of the break Boykin would start the second half off with a steal that led to a Allen layup and a seven point, 38-31, lead over Adams State. The Grizzlies would take advantage of a missed layup attempt and jumper from the Rams to regain the lead at 41-40. ASU would fight back to within three, 55-58, with a 7-0 run that featured Bennett and Thomas Tshikaya draining five free throws that were split by a Foster layup. It would not be until the 1:38 mark in the second period that Boykin took to the free throw line for the third time of the afternoon and stroked in consecutive foul shots to give ASU a 70-69 lead. ASU would add its lead and close out the game with a 75-71 win by once again showing consistency from the line going 3-4 in the last minute of the game in addition to a Boykin layup.

The Rams return to action to close out the Texan Tip-off Classic tomorrow November 14 at 2 p.m. against the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

"[The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs] has three games under their belt already and that's a huge advantage for them, but we will give it our best effort and perparation," Bonne said on tomorrow's match –up.