Falcons Host Portland On Friday
11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Portland (0-2) vs. Air Force (1-2)
Friday, Nov. 20
Tipoff: 2 p.m.
Location: USAF Academy, Colo.
Arena: Clune Arena
Capacity: 5,939
Series: AF leads, 2-0
Live Stats: www.goAirForceFalcons.com
Radio: none
Falcons Host Portland On Friday
The Air Force women's basketball team hosts Portland this Friday, Nov. 20. Live stats will be available for the game, which tips off at 2 p.m. as part of a hoops tripleheader in Clune Arena.
Scouting Air Force
Air Force returns six letterwinners and three starters from last years team. Junior guard Raimee Beck is the Falcons' top returning scorer, averaging 12.9 points per game as a sophomore. Junior center Liz Dunsworth and sophomore point guard Anna Gault also started last year as juniors. Air Force welcomes nine freshmen to the team, the largest freshman class in school history.
Last Outing
Air Force defeated Adams State, 65-59, on Tuesday. Raimee Beck notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way. Freshman Katie Hilbig added 12 points and senior Kathleen Schjodt scored 10 for the Falcons.
Scouting Portland
Portland enters Friday 0-2 on the season after losses to Eastern Washington and Utah State. Senior guard Laiken Dollente leads the team averaging 12 points and six assists per game. The Pilots are shooting 38.1 percent from the field as a team and 22.7 percent from three-point range.
Air Force In 2008-09
Air Force went 4-26 in 2008-09. The Falcons went 0-16 in Mountain West Conference play, finishing in ninth place. Sephomore guard Raimee Beck led Air Force in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game. Beck was also named team MVP and earned all-MWC honors.
Series History vs. Portland
- Air Force is 2-0 all-time vs. Portland.
- The two teams first met in 2003 and played the second game in 2004.
Air Force vs. West Coast Conference
Air Force is 3-7 all-time in games against the West Coast Conference.
Last Meeting vs. Portland
The Air Force women's basketball team defeated the Pilots 68-61 at the Chiles Center in Portland back on Dec. 2, 2004.
Three Falcons notched double-figures in scoring, led by sophomore guard Letricia Castillo's 16 points. Freshman Ellen Jaeschke added 14 and fellow freshman Alicia Steele notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Four Pilots reached double figures in scoring, led by Whitney Grant's 15 points. Meagan Bermingham added 12 points and Jaime Medley and Ashlee Orndorff chipped in with 11 points each.
The Falcons jumped out to a 38-29 halftime lead and were able to hold off Portland in the second half. Air Force out-rebounded Portland 46-37 and hit seven three-point basket's, including three by freshman Pamela Findlay.
Adams State Game Recap
The Air Force women's basketball team defeated Adams State, 65-59, in its home-opener Tuesday night at Clune Arena. Junior guard Raimee Beck led the way for the Falcons recording a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Falcons improved to 1-2 on the season while Adams State dropped its season-opener.
In a tight game throughout, Air Force was able to fend off a scrappy Adams State team by getting to the free throw line late in the game. With under four minutes left in the game, and clinging to a four-point lead, the Falcons made 9-of-10 free throws to stay ahead. For the game, Air Force got to the line 31 times, making 23.
Sophomore Anna Gault and Beck were both perfect on four free throw attempts each in the last four minutes of the game. Gault finished with seven points, four assists and a game-high five steals while playing all 40 minutes. Beck also led the Falcons with six assists in 37 minutes.
Adams State was led by Kendra Coveal and Vera Jo Bustos. Coveal led the Grizzlies with 17 points and added six rebounds. Jo Bustos scored 12 points and had five rebounds and four assists. Kelsie Kruger added nine points and nine rebounds.
Air Force also got solid games from senior forward Kathleen Schjodt and freshmen forwards Katie Hilbig and Dymond James. Schjodt scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds. Hilbig provided instant offense off the bench, finishing with 12 points in 17 minutes. James added nine points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
Junior forward Candice Chase also gave the Falcons a spark from downtown, hitting a pair of three-point baskets to finish with six points.
After a sluggish start, Air Force went into halftime leading 33-25. The Falcons trailed to start the game and notched its first lead of the game at the 13:12 mark. Air Force trailed just one more time after and led throughout after the 9:32 mark.
The Falcons had its best shooting night so far on the season, shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Adams State shot 36.4 percent from the field.
Beck Off To Strong Start
Junior guard Raimee Beck is off to a strong start so far in 2009-10. Beck has led Air Force in scoring in both games and is amongst the Mountain West Conference top 10 in several categories.
Freshmen Make Immediate Impact
Four Falcon freshmen are already already making immediate impacts for the Falcons. Three of Air Force's top four scorers are freshmen. Rookies Alicia Leipprandt, Katie Hilbi and Dymond James, rank second-through-fourth in scoring for the Falcons.
Three Regular Season Games on TV
Three Air Force women's basketball regular season games will be televised. All three games will be televised on the Mountain West Sports Network (Mtn.). Air Force could also have games televised at the MWC Championships.
Air Force To Broadcast Eight Regular Season Games
At least nine Air Force women's basketball games will be broadcast for the 2009-10 season. Eight regular season contests, including two road games, and all Mountain West Conference Tournament games will be broadcast online and locally in Colorado Springs on 1300 AM.
Team Captains
Senior Kathleen Schjodt and junior Raimee Beck have been named team co-captains for the 2009-10 season. Schjodt is a three-year letterwinner at forward. Beck is a two-year letterwinner and returning starter at guard.
Six Letterwinners and Three Starters Return
Six letterwinners and three starters return for the Falcons.
Juniors Raimee Beck and Liz Dunsworth and sophomore Anna Gault are Air Forces returning starters.
Senior Kathleen Schjodt, junior Candice Chase and sophomore Jamela Satterfield round out the other returners. In addition, sophomore Kira Gonzalez, who did not play in any game as a freshman, also returns.
Falcons Welcome Nine Newcomers
Air Force welcomes nine freshmen in 2009-10, its largest rookie class in school history.
F Kelsey Berger (Mentor, Ohio)
G Bethany Gross (Alexandria, S.D.)
F Katie Hilbig (Castle Rock, Colo.)
F Dymond James (Brambleton, Va.)
G Alicia Leipprandt (Ubly, Mich.)
G Megan Muñiz (Rio Rancho, N.M.)
G Danielle Sorrera (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
G Austyn Wilson (Dallas, Texas)
G Desiree Wilson (Morrow, Ga.)
Up Next
Air Force travels to New York for a pair of games around Thanksgiving. The Falcons head to West Point to take on service academy rival Army on Nov. 25 and then head to Long Island to play Stony Brook on Nov. 27.
