Air Force pushes UTEP to the brink in 2OT loss

EL PASO, Texas- A frenetic, back-and-forth ballgame did not fall in favor of Air Force, as the Falcons ran out of gas at the Don Haskins Center in Tuesday's 93-85 double-overtime loss to UTEP.

Riley Snyder led all players with 22 points, finishing 6-14 from the field while making all nine of her free throw attempts. Snyder surpassed the 1,300-point becnhmark on Tuesday, as she now sits at 1,301 points in her Air Force career, becoming only the third Falcons player in the Division I era to surpass the milestone.

Freshman Jo Huntimer saw the most floor time for Air Force, playing 41 of 50 minutes while orchestrating Chris Gobrecht's offense. She recorded a season-high 12 points on 5-9 shooting while knocking down both of her three-point tries. Her stat line was diverse, as she also contributed six rebounds, six assists and five steals. Kamri Heath (13 points) and Dasha Macmillan (12 points) also finished in double-figures for the Falcons. Returning to her hometown, Cierra Winters managed 10 points and four rebounds.

Though Air Force was severely out-sized against a bigger Miners team, having been outscored 48-22 in the paint, the Falcons countered UTEP's length witlh lethality from long range. The Falcons made a season-high 11 three-pointers on 28 attempts, with Audrey Gadison setting the standard going 3-7 from long range.

Air Force stood resolute throughout, even carrying a 40-39 lead into halftime. The Falcons eventually took control at the end of the third quarter, ending the period on a 12-6 run to hold a 59-53 lead going into the fourth quarter. With neither side able to hold the other off the scoreboard for long, the Falcons were looking to retake the lead, trailing 70-69 with 1:39 remaining in regulation.

Huntimer found Snyder along the baseline, as the senior swished home a jumper to give the Falcons a one-point lead. Just as UTEP crossed halfcour on the ensuing possession, Huntimer collected one of her five steals before driving to the glass for an easy layup. However, an Air Force foul allowed for two UTEP free throws to send the game into overtime.

To make matters unsettling, Snyder had fouled out late in the fourth quarter while Winters was given her fifth and final foul during the initial possession of the first overtime. UTEP was able to take advantage of Air Force's pause, jumping out to a 79-75 lead with 1:29 left in overtime. But the baby Birds wouldn't go away just yet.

Freshman Lauren McDonald drilled a contested three-pointer to trim UTEP's lead to 79-78 at the 1:13 mark, and with 32 seconds left in the first overtime, tremendous team play saw Huntimer line up an open three-pointer to tie the game at 81-81. The score would hold as the two team's entered a second overtime.

As valiant an effort as it was, it was apparent the Falcons ran out of steam and available help in the final overtime, as Air Force was outscored 12-4 over the final five minutes.

Next, the Falcons will have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season before beginning conference play on Tuesday, December 28 against Nevada. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 pm MT.

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