Air Force Academy
Army
Army Defeats Air Force, 70-62
1/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2004
Despite three players scoring in double figures and out-shooting the Black Knights from the field, the Air Force women's basketball team couldn't overcome missed opportunities at the free throw line in a 70-62 loss to service academy rival Army. The Falcons shot just 44.4 percent and were outscored 29-8 from the charity stripe in the disappointing loss.
The Falcons got off to a shaky start and after just a few minutes of play trailed the Black Knights by 10 points. The team regrouped and showed its grit by going on a 7-0 run to cut into the deficit. A three-pointer by Shawna Neff with 4:34 remaining in the half gave the Falcons their first lead of the game. After exchanging leads several times, Army held a small advantage at the break (36-35).
The teams played evenly throughout most of the second half. Overall, there were six ties and six lead changes in the game. But with just 2:30 remaining on the clock and clinging to a two-point advantage, Army's Jen Hansen nailed a three-pointer that seemed to deflate the Falcons hopes of victory. It would prove to be their final field goal of the game, as their remaining points came from free throws.
The Falcons had five more field goals than the Knights and three more treys, but the game was decided at the charity stripe. The team missed 10 free throws, including several at critical moments. The Knights went to the line 39 times, twice that of the Falcons, and made 29 of those attempts (74.4 percent).
Neff notched the first double-double of her career and the team's first this season by scoring 14 points and tallying 10 rebounds. Letricia Castillo added a team-high 17 points and Amoy Jackson chipped in 10. The Falcons were 24-of-61 (39.3 percent) from the field.
Army's leading scorer Katie Macfarlane had 20 points to pace the Knights. Shavonne Holden had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double.
Air Force falls to 3-8 overall. They will play their next game at home against IUPU-Fort Wayne on Jan. 7th at 7 p.m.
Additional Notes: The Falcons have played Army and Navy in the same season just one other time in school history. In 2001-02, head coach Ardie McInelly's first season, the Falcons swept the two service academies. Both games were played at home ... The all-time Army/Air Force series record is 5-4 in favor of the Falcons.
