Falcons Host Wyoming
1/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 27, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Wyoming vs. Air Force
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Tipoff: 7 p.m. (MST)
Location: USAF Academy, Colo.
Arena: Clune Arena
Capacity: 5,939
Series: Wyoming leads, 31-2
Live Stats/Internet Radio: www.goairforcefalcons.com
Radio: 1300 AM (In Colorado Springs)
Radio Talent: Jay Ritchie
Falcons Host Wyoming
The Air Force women's basketball team plays host to Wyoming this Wednesday, Jan. 28. Tip off for the 34th meeting between the two schools is at 7 p.m. MTN. Live stats and radio will be available for the game.
Scouting Air Force
Air Force is 4-14 on the season after falling to Colorado State, 55-50, on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Sophomore guard Raimee Beck leads the team offensively, scoring 12.9 points per game to go with 5.8 rebounds per game. Senior Kim Kreke is the top rebounder in the conference, averaging 9.9 boards per game.
Air Force In 2007-08
Air Force went 10-19 in 2007-09. The Falcons were 4-12 in Mountain West Conference play, finishing in seventh place. The four conference wins and seventh place finish were all-time bests in MWC play for Air Force. Senior forward Alecia Steele led Air Force in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Steele was also named team MVP. Steele and senior guard Pamela Findlay earned all-MWC honors.
Scouting Wyoming
Wyoming is 9-9 on the season after defeating Colorado State, 64-61, on Saturday. The Cowgirls are led offensively by senior guard Megan McGuffey, who is averaging 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Series History/Notes
- Air Force and Wyoming have met 33 times with the Cowgirls owning a 31-2 advantage in the series.
- The two teams first met on Nov. 27, 1979, a 63-56 Wyoming win at the Academy.
- Air Force's two wins against Wyoming came in 1985 and 2001, both at home.
- Wyoming has won seven in a row in the series.
vs. Wyoming (Wyoming Leads 31-2)11-27-79 USAFA, CO L 56-632-1-80 Laramie, WY L 64-691-31-81 Laramie, WY L 70-772-20-82 Laramie, WY L 60-8112-3-83 Laramie, WY L 55-6611-26-85 USAFA, CO W 89-782-6-87 Laramie, WY L 60-8011-26-87 USAFA, CO L 77-822-23-89 Laramie, WY L 58-731-4-97 USAFA, CO^ L 55-781-30-97 Laramie, WY^ L 52-741-3-98 Laramie, WY^ L 51-861-29-98 USAFA, CO^ L 54-821-30-99 Laramie, WY^ L 58-892-25-99 USAFA, CO^ L 63-791-29-00 Laramie, WY* L 72-862-26-00 USAFA, CO* L 48-611-27-01 Laramie, WY* L 54-582-22-01 USAFA, CO* L 63-681-31-02 USAFA, CO* L 66-703-2-02 Laramie, WY* L 67-711-23-03 Laramie, WY* L 53-682-22-03 USAFA, CO* L 49-782-5-04 Laramie, WY* L 37-693-6-04 Laramie, WY* L 44-652-5-05 USAFA, CO* W(OT) 69-663-3-05 Laramie, WY* L 43-601-11-06 USAFA, CO* L 55-642-11-06 Laramie, WY* L 33-591-27-07 USAFA, CO* L 43-642-11-07 Laramie, WY* L 35-641-16-08 USAFA, CO* L 59-752-16-08 Laramie, WY* L 32-60^WAC game*MWC game
Last Meeting
The Air Force women's basketball lost 60-32, at Wyoming, Saturday afternoon in Mountain West Conference action at the Arena Auditorium.
After taking a 4-0 lead to start the game, the Falcons failed to score a basket over the next ten minutes as the Cowgirls went on a 17-0 run and jumped out to a 31-16 halftime lead. The Falcons had season-low's in points scored in game and in a half.
Wyoming shot 41.2 percent from the field and made eight three pointers. Justyna Podziemska led all scorers with 13 points and Hannah Vavecz pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.
Senior Alecia Steele and junior Kim Kreke led Air Force in scoring with six points apiece. Kreke also tied a career-high with nine rebounds. Pamela Findlay and Steele also had three assists for the Falcons. Freshman Raimee Beck hit her 42nd three-point basket of the season, moving her into sole possession on fith place for most three's in a season at the Academy.
Wyoming made three, three-point baskets to start the second-half and coasted to the win. The Falcons could never get any offensive flow going, enduring an nine minute-scoreless stretch in the second-half before rebounding with a 7-0 run to make it a 30-58 game with three minutes to go.
Air Force-Wyoming Connections
- Wyoming has two players on its roster from Colorado.
Fr. C Leah Fitzgerald - Colorado Springs (Palmer HS)
Jr. C Mallory Cline - McClave (McClave HS)
- Air Force freshman Ariane Brown and Wyoming freshman Leah Fitzgerald were high school teammates at Palmer high school in Colorado Springs.
Nationally-Ranked In Free Throw Shooting
Air Force is the fourth-best free throw shooting team in the nation, making 79.3 percent of its attempts from the line. Drexel currently leads the nation in free throw shooting, making 83 percent from the line.
The Falcons boast five players making 80 percent or better from the line. The Falcons have been perfect at the line in four games this year.
Air Force is currently ahead of the 2001-02 team's school record 76.5 percent free throw percentage. Air Force shot 71.4 percent from the line last year. Four of the top 15 free throw shooting teams in the nation hail from the Mountain West Conference.
NCAA Team Free Throw Percentage1. Drexel 83.02. Murray State 82.63. Utah 80.34. Air Force 79.35. Iowa 78.8
MWC Team Free Throw Percentage1. Utah 80.32. Air Force 79.33. TCU 77.74. New Mexico 75.5
Kreke MWC's Top Rebounder
Kim Kreke leads the Mountain West Conference with 9.9 rebounds per game. The next closest player is UNLV's Shamela Hampton with 8.9 rebounds per game. Kreke averaged 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior. She has 10+ rebounds in nine games this year.
MWC Individual Rebounding 1. Kim Kreke, Air Force 9.6 2. Shamela Hampton, UNLV 8.9 2. Jamie Smith, UNLV 8.9 4. Halie Sawyer, Utah 8.8
Beck A Scoring Machine
Air Force guard Raimee Beck has become one of the Mountain West Conference's top scorers. The sophomore is second on the team and ninth in the MWC, averaging 12.9 points per game. In addition, Beck is second in three-points per game, making 2.44 treys per game and is the top player in the conference in terms of minutes played, averaging 36.6 minutes per game.
Beck was named MWC Player of the Week on Dec. 8 after averaging 25.3 points and 7.3 rebounds during that week.
Here are some of Beck's highlights so far this year:
- Scored a career-high 30 points against North Carolina Central, becoming the first Falcon to reach 30 points in a game since 2002.
- Was 8-for-8 from three-point range vs. NCCU, tying a school record for three's in a game and shattering the previous school mark of 4-for-4 for perfect three's in a game. The 8-for-8 on three' was also a new MWC record and one shy of tying the NCAA record.
- At one point, made 12-consecutive three-point baskets over the three games, two off the NCAA record of 14.
- Scored 21 points vs. Barry and 25 vs. Miami (Ohio).
- Named to Air Force Classic All-Tournament Team.
Beck Averages Over 20 When Reaching Double-Figures
Although Raimee Beck leads the team with a 13.1 scoring average, that total increases significantly when the sophomore guard reaches double figures in a game. In her nine games reaching double-figures in scoring, Beck has averaged 20.2 points in those games. Air Force is 4-5 when Beck reaches double-figures in scoring.
Cultra Having Solid Senior Campaign
Senior Brooke Cultra has been one of Air Force's most consistent players this year. The guard/forward ranks second on the team in scoring (12.3 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg) , free throw percentage (85.5 %) and blocked shots (9). The senior leads Air Force with 101 career games played and also ranks fifth all-time at the Academy in career rebounding (Div. I era) with 426 boards and is 10th in career scoring (Div. I era) with 686 points.
Kreke Sets Academy Div. I Rebounding Mark; Twice
Kim Kreke had pulled down 19 rebounds in a game twice this season, setting a Air Force Div. I record in the process. Kreke first recorded 19 rebounds against Milwaukee. That total eclipsed the previous mark of 16 set by Mollie Peters vs. Texas-Pan American on Nov. 23, 1997. Kreke grabbed 19 rebounds again vs. UMKC on Dec 22. The 19 rebounds ties for the fourth-most in Air Force history, the seventh-highest mark in Mountain West Conference history and the second-highest total by a senior in MWC history.
Most Rebounds In A Game By Air Force31 Mary Jo Wier vs. New Mexico Highlands, 2/11/7726 Mary Manning vs. Northern Colorado, 3/11/8224 Mary Jo Wier vs. Colorado Mines, 2/1/7719 Kim Kreke vs. UMKC, 12/22/0819 Kim Kreke vs. Milwaukee, 11/22/0819 Mary Manning vs. Northern Colorado, 1/29/8517 Theresa Blad vs. Abilene Christian, 3/8/8517 Melissa Standley vs. Mesa State, 11/17/8916 Mollie Peters vs. Texas Pan-American, 11/23/97
Falcon Trio Amongst MWC Leaders
Air Force seniors Brooke Cultra and Kim Kreke and sophomore Raimee Beck are amongst the MWC leaders in several categories.
Three-Point Baskets Per Game Beck 2nd/2.44 Blocked Shots Kreke 4th/24 Scoring Beck 9th/12.9 Cultra 10th/12.3 Kreke 23rd/9.3 Rebounding Kreke 1st/9.9 Cultra 7th/6.8 Beck 15th/5.8 Free Throw Pct. Cultra 4th/85.5 Minutes Played Per Game Beck 1st/36.56 Kreke 6th/33.78
Sophomore Class Emerging
Several Air Force sophomores have shown improvement since their freshmen campaigns. Guard Stevie Puentes and center Liz Dunsworth have significantly increased their production from their freshmen year and guard Raimee Beck has improved her scoring and rebounding averages.
Beck 2007-08 2008-09 PPG 9.0 12.9 RPG 3.7 5.8 3 PT% .343 .362 Dunsworth GP-GS 16-0 18-13 MPG 3.7 20.9 PPG 0.6 3.6 RPG 0.6 3.7 Puentes GP-GS 6-0 18-1 MPG 4.2 18.2 PPG 1.7 3.2 APG 0.2 1.5
Schjodt A Pleasant Surprise
Kathleen Schjodt, the lone junior on the team, has also provided solid minutes this year. After seeing limited minutes as a freshman and even less time as a sophomore due to injury, the junior has started four games and has been Air Force's top reserve. Schjodt is averaging 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, both top numbers for the Falcon reserves.
Schjodt GP-GS 3-0 18-4 MPG 5.0 22.4 PPG 2.3 5.7 RPG 1.0 3.2
Gault Turning Into Top Distributor
Point guard Anna Gault is quickly picking up the pace of Div. I basketball. Gault had a career-high 10 assists against North Carolina Central and has 5+ assists in seven games. It was the first 10 assist game by a Falcons since 2002. Gault is currently averaging 3.7 assists per game, ranking fifth in the MWC. Her 66 assists already ranks in the single season top ten in the Div. I era at Air Force.
Single Season Assists Div. I Era1. 119, Latoya Howell 2002-032. 111, Lauren Henderson 2004-053. 110, Kallie Quinn 1997-984. 109, Latoya Howell 2001-025. 74, Brooke Cultra 2007-086. 72, Jennifer Roesch 2003-047. 68, Raimee Beck 2007-088. 66, Anna Gault 2008-099. 63, Pamela Findlay 2006-0710. 58, Jennifer Roesch 2004-05
Kreke Becomes Div. I Era Shot Block Leader
Senior Kim Kreke currently has 76 blocks for her career. That total is the most Air Force in the Div. I era, surpassing Ellen Jaeschke. Kreke currently ranks 4th all-time in shot blocks.
Most Blocks Career1. 122, Mary Manning 1981-852. 88, Chris Clausnitzer 1988-923. 79, Leigh Wilbanks 1988-914. 76, Kim Kreke* 2005-pr.5. 70, Carrie Carrow 1993, 95-966. 64, Stacy Goss 1983-867. 56, Ellen Jaeschke* 2004-058. 55, Brooke Cultra* 2005-pr.9. 52, Pamela Findlay* 2004-0810. 41, Mollie Peters* 1996-00*Div. I era
Injury Sidelines Loveless For Remainder Of Season
Senior power forward Dana Loveless will miss the remainder of the 2008-09 season after suffering a sprained ankle and torn left ACL in the season-opener against Northern Colorado. Both injuries happened on the same play just eight minutes into the game.
Falcons Picked To Finish Ninth In MWC
In the preseason conference poll released in October, Air Force was chosen by the coaches and select media to finish ninth in the Mountain West.
1. Utah (16) 2062. San Diego State (6) 1843. TCU (2) 1614. New Mexico (2) 1485. BYU 1176. Wyoming 1137. UNLV 808. Colorado State 449. Air Force 36(First Place Votes)
Seven Regular Season Games on TV
A record seven Air Force women's basketball regular season games will be televised. The Falcons will have four games on the Mountain West Sports Network (Mtn.) and games on CBS College Sports (CBS C), Fox Rocky Mountain (Fox RM) and BYU TV. Air Force could also have games televised at the MWC Championships.
Air Force WBB TV ScheduleNov. 29 Army Mtn.Dec. 10 at Denver Fox RMJan. 3 Navy Mtn.Jan. 7 at San Diego St. CBS CJan. 20 Colorado St. Mtn.Feb. 4 at BYU BYU TVFeb. 21 at Colorado St. Mtn.M 10-14 MWC Tourney Mtn./CBS C/VERSUS
Team Captains
Seniors Brooke Cultra and Kim Kreke have been named team co-captains for the 2008-09 season. Cultra is a three-year letterwinner and returning starter at shooting guard. Kreke is also a three-year letterwinner and returning starter at center.
Up Next
Air Force returns to action Saturday, Jan. 31 at UNLV. Tip off of the game has been moved up to a 1 p.m. start from the original 3 p.m. start.
