Air Force Academy
Adams St
Falcons Defeat Adams State 61-56 in Season Opener
11/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2002
The Air Force women's basketball team notched a victory in its season opener, defeating Adams State College 61-56. The game came down to the wire but clutch shots by the Falcons sealed the victory.
Shawna Neff scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Falcons, but none were bigger than the two points she scored with 11 seconds remaining in the game. Clinging to a two-point lead in the waning seconds of the game, Neff nailed a pull-away jumper to give Air Force a four-point cushion.
The Grizzlies fought valiantly in a see-saw battle. The Falcons largest lead of the game came early in the second half, when the team led 27-19. Adams State then went on an 8-0 run to tie the score at 27 each with 15:40 remaining. Following that point, no team ever led by more than four points. There were 10 ties and 13 lead changes through the remainder of the game. With two minutes remaining, the score was tied 55-55. Gwen Grove hit a jumper to give the Falcons their final lead of the game.
The Falcons shot 38.9 percent (21-for-54) from the field. Emily Gross had 12 points and four rebounds. For the first time in her career, Grove led the team in rebounding, grabbing a career-high seven. Latoya Howell had eight assists, notching a new career high. The team had seven steals and 17 turnovers.
The victory snaps a 15-game losing streak dating to last year. It was the first season-opening win for the team in the last six chances. Their last season-opening victory was in 1995, also against Adams State. Air Force (1-0) will take on Regis on Sunday, Nov. 24 in its second of two games against RMAC opponents. Tip off is 2:05 p.m.
