Air Force Academy
UMKC
Air Force Drops 64-59 Contest To UMKC
12/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2008
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force women's basketball team could never quite get its shooting touch going, falling 64-59 to UMKC, Monday afternoon at Clune Arena. The loss drops the Falcons to 3-7, while the Kangaroos improved to 5-7.
Air Force shot 34 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from three-point range. The Falcons continue to be plagued by ball handling problems, committing 29 turnovers that led to 23 points for UMKC.
UMKC was led by LeAndrea Thomas and Chazny Morris, who combined for 38 points. Thomas had a game-high 20 points, sinking 13-of-18 free throw attempts to go with five steals. Morris overcame a cold start of two first-half points to record a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Air Force was led by senior center Kim Kreke. Kreke recorded her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 19 rebounds. Both tied career-highs. The 19 rebounds tied her school Div. I era record for most rebounds in a game and is fourth all-time at the Academy.
Junior forward Kathleen Schjodt and senior guard Brooke Cultra also reached double-figures in scoring for the Falcons. Schjodt scored 10 points and Cultra added 11. Air Force also got seven points each from Raimee Beck, Anna Gault and Stevie Puentes.
The Falcons jumped ahead 24-21 at halftime by getting to the line 13 times off 16 UMKC fouls. Air Force held the lead early in the second-half, but UMKC jumped ahead 38-37 at the 11:54 mark and never trailed the rest of the game. The Falcons stayed close throughout, getting as close as within three points with one minute left, 58-55, after a three-point basket by Kreke. The Kangaroos however, were able to close the game out.
The Falcons attempted and made a season-high 24-of-29 free throw attempts, good for an 82.8 percentage. Air Force entered the game ranked second in the nation in team free throw percentage (83.7).
Air Force returns to action Dec. 28 and 30, with a pair of road games in the state of Illinois. The Falcons take on Bradley on Sunday, Dec. 28 and Chicago State on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
