Navy Defeats Air Force, 56-38
1/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Annapolis - (Jan. 2) In a battle of service academies, the Air Force women's basketball team suffered a disappointing loss to Navy 38-56. The Falcons led at the half, but a second half offensive drought cost the team a chance of snapping its seven-game losing streak.
The Falcons were able to execute its offense effectively in the first half, but struggled in the second half. The team shot 61 percent from the field in the first half, but shot just 15 percent in the second half to finish the game with a .368 shooting percentage. The team scored just six points in the second half - a new team record for fewest points scored in a half.
After a sluggish start by both teams, Air Force mounted an 11-point lead with just eight minutes to go in the half. The Midshipmen rallied to tie the score at 30 points each, before Amoy Jackson's lay up at the buzzer sent the teams to their locker rooms with the Falcons clinging to a 32-30 lead.
The second half was a different story, as the Falcons could not get their shots to fall. The team was three of 20 from the field in the half. With the Falcons struggling offensively, Navy was able to extend its lead to 13 points with just over four minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons couldn't recover from its shooting woes, losing the game by 18 points.
Poor rebounding was also a costly for the Falcons. The Falcons were out-rebounded for the 12th consecutive game, losing the battle of the boards 29-43. Air Force had no offensive rebounds in the first half, finishing the game with five total to Navy's 23.
Although eight players scored for the Falcons, no player finished the game in double figures in scoring. Shawna Neff led Air Force in scoring with eight points. Rozalyn Russ had 10 boards to pace the Falcons. Morgan Bennett, playing with a broken thumb, had a career-high seven steals for the Falcons.
For Navy, Jennifer Bombinski scored 11 points while Adrienne Roseti had 10 points. Catherine Dunn had 11 rebounds.
The Falcons (2-10) will return home to prepare for Cal Poly, who they will face on Jan. 7 at Clune Arena. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. It will be the team's final non-conference game of the season.
