Air Force Academy
Alaska-Anchorage
Falcons Fall To Alaska Anchorage, 62-60
11/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2006
Anchorage, Alaska - Despite a season-high 20 points from hometown favorite Letricia Castillo, the Air Force women's basketball team dropped a 62-60 decision to host Alaska Anchorage on day one of the Great Alaska Shootout. The Falcons fall to 1-2 on the season, while the Seawolves, who move into tomorrow's championship contest, improve to 3-0.
First-half scoring was slow to start, with Air Force leading 6-4 seven minutes into the game. However, UAA was able to take the lead by getting to the free-throw line, eventually getting out to a 30-19 advantage with just under a minute and a half remaining in the half. The Falcons put together a 10-2 run to close the period, capped off by a three-pointer from junior Pamela Findlay (Glenview, Ill.) at the buzzer.
With its deficit cut to 32-29 at the half, Air Force was able to tie the game at 39-39 as Castillo scored eight of her points in the first five minutes of the second stanza. The score went back and forth for much of the half, with UAA leading by as many as five points. A three-point play by senior Dawn Higginbotham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) tied the contest once more, while Castillo's career-high tying fifth three-pointer of the game gave Air Force a 50-47 advantage.
Just as they had in the first half, the Seawolves were able to regain their advantage at the free-throw line. While a long-range field goal from Findlay gave the Falcons a 60-59 advantage with less than a minute remaining, UAA's Rebecca Kielpinski hit a jumper to put the Seawolves back up by one. After a missed field goal on the other end for Air Force, the Seawolves knocked down a free throw with less than one second remaining to hold onto the 62-60 victory.
UAA had a huge advantage from the foul line, hitting 23-of-30 free throws, while Air Force attempted just 12 foul shots. The Falcons did a good job of taking care of the ball, committing just 12 turnovers, while forcing 18. Junior point guard Lauren Henderson (Nixa, Mo.) dished out a season-high seven assists without committing a single turnover.
Anchorage native Castillo, who added five rebounds and three steals and a block to her 20 points, was the only Falcon scoring in double figures, as Findlay, Higginbotham and Alecia Steele (Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.) added eight points each. Steele also recorded 10 rebounds, marking the third time in as many games this season she has reached double-figures in rebounding.
Jayci Stone led the Seawolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kielpinski added 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Falcons will now play in the third-place game of the tournament against either Butler or UC Riverside. Tip-off is slated for 2:30 p.m. (AT) at Sullivan Arena.
