Air Force Academy
Denver
Air Force With 57-48 Setback To Denver
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force women's basketball dropped its home-opener with Denver, 57-48, Wednesday night at Clune Arena. Junior Mary Cavanaugh led the way for the Falcons with a career-high 17 points.
A slow start proved costly, as the Falcons (0-3) had to claw they way back the entire game. Denver (1-2) jumped out to a 20-8 lead after the first quarter of play. A 16-0 run by the Pioneers in the first half made Air Force's rally effort a tough task.
The Falcons did rally back by out-scoring Denver 9-8 in the second half to trail 28-17 at the half. Air Force out-scored Denver 16-13 in the third quarter to pull within eight at 41-33.
The Falcons got to within four points late in the fourth quarter, down 52-48 with under two minutes left to play. But Denver forward Jesse Spittel scored the final five points for Denver to close out the game. Aside from the first quarter, Air Force out-scored Denver in the remaining three quarters 40-37.
Cavanaugh, who's previous career-high was eight points as a freshman in 2013-14, hit 8-of-15 from the floor in 23 minutes off the bench. The guard also connected on a three-point basket and pulled down four rebounds.
Sophomore forward/guard Dee Bennett also had a good night for the Falcons, recording her first-career double-double with career-high's of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Bennett was 6-of-14 from the field with seven offensive boards.
Sophomore guard Cortney Porter added seven points and six assists. Junior guard Sydney Graham had five points and three assists.
Denver was led by guard Paige Bradley and Spittel. Bradley had 11 points and seven assists. Spittel got to the free throw line 13 times, scoring 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Air Force returns to action Saturday, Nov. 21, at Santa Clara. Tip time, at The Leavey Center, is 2 pm PT.
