Falcons Host IPFW
1/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2004
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The Air Force women's basketball team will play its final home non-conference game of the season on Wednesday (Jan. 7) when they host IPFW. The Falcons are looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they face the Mastodons, with a tip off time of 7 p.m.
RADIO/INTERNET
The IPFW/Air Force game will be broadcast on local radio at The Buzz (KBZC 1300 AM, Colorado Springs). Jay Ritchie will be the announcer. Fans can listen to the game, as well as access live stats, by visiting the Falcons' website at www.airforcesports.com.
SERIES HISTORY
The Falcons will be meeting IPFW for the first time in school history.
SCOUTING THE FALCONS
After a three-game winning streak, the Falcons have lost their previous two games - against service academy rivals Navy and Army. Against Army, the team shot 44.4 percent from the free throw line. Freshman Letricia Castillo leads the team and is fifth in the league with 13.6 ppg. Shawna Neff is second on the team with a 11.2 ppg average, while Amoy Jackson is averaging 10.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Falcons are shooting 38.3 percent from the floor.
SCOUTING THE MASTODONS
IPFW (Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne) got off to a slow start, opening the season with five consecutive losses. They won four of the next six games for a 4-8 record. Most recently, they knocked off Murray State 78-72, followed by a 102-82 win over Morehead State in the final game of a four-game homestand. Amy Gearlds leads the team in scoring with 17.7 ppg. Verea Bibbs is averaging 14.1 ppg, while Courtney Nicley is chipping in 11.2 ppg. The team rebounding leader is Bibbs, who is averaging 9.0 rpg. The team is shooting 40.5 percent from the field and is tallying 21.3 turnovers per game.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Falcons will have just one day of rest before boarding the plane and traveling to Ogden, Utah, to take on Weber State. Last year, the Wildcats defeated Air Force in Clune Arena 60-46. After losing their first five games, they are 5-1 in their last six, including a four-game winning streak. They will take on Wyoming on Jan. 7th.
WINNINGEST D-I COACH
With the team's win over Northern Colorado, Ardie McInelly became the Falcons' winningest coach at the Division I level. In her two-plus seasons, she has 13 totals wins.
COACHING CONNECTION
The Wildcats are coached by Carla Taylor, who is in her 16th season with the team (200-217). Air Force coach Ardie McInelly coached for five seasons as an assistant under Taylor (1991-96).
