Air Force Academy
Wyoming
Falcons Lose to Wyoming, 68-53
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2003
The Air Force women's basketball team played its sixth consecutive road game Thursday night in Laramie against conference foe Wyoming. The travel seemed to have finally taken its toll, as the Falcons, despite a good effort, seemed a bit tired. They suffered a disappointing 68-53, their worst loss to the Cowgirls in three years.
Wyoming hit four of its first six shots, and after just a few minutes the Falcons were behind 9-2. Through most of the remainder of the half, the Cowgirls were unable to extend their lead, despite Air Force shooting just 24.1 percent from the floor. In the final minutes of the half, Wyoming was able to extend its lead to 12 points, its largest lead of the game. The teams headed to their respective locker rooms with the score 31-19. The Falcons' 19 points was their lowest scoring output in a half this season.
Air Force came out strong in the second half and cut the lead in half. But Wyoming capitalized on its inside game and free throw shooting to go on a 10-2 run and pull ahead 48-34. The Falcons would never again challenge, as the Cowgirls would extend their lead to as much as 21 points.
The Falcons finished the game shooting 33.3 percent (18-of-54) from the field. They had 20 turnovers and 12 steals. Shawna Neff tied for the team lead in scoring with 16 points. She added a career-high five steals. Howell, the team's leading scorer, also notched 16 points, her 13th consecutive double-digit scoring output. Briana Thomas led the squad with seven rebounds.
Wyoming had four scorers in double figures, led by Carrie Bacon with 15 points. Darci Arsene and Brenda Pickup each had 13 points, while Ann McColl had 10 points. Wyoming out-rebounded the Falcons 45-32.
The loss drops Air Force to 6-9 overall and 0-2 in the league. It was their 16th consecutive loss to Wyoming and their 41st consecutive regular season conference loss. They will be on the road for its seventh consecutive game when the Falcons face Colorado State on Jan. 25th. The Falcons are still looking for their first conference win under second-year head coach Ardie McInelly.
