Air Force Threatens Colorado Within Final Minute, Falls 71-63

BOULDER, Colo. – The Air Force women's basketball team took Colorado within one possession in the final minute Saturday evening at the CU Events Center, but ultimately fell to the Buffaloes 71-63.

Colorado's (4-1) 21 points on 28 attempts at the free-throw line to the Falcons' (3-1) five total attempts ultimately proved the difference, as Air Force dropped its first game of the 2022-23 season. Air Force went 5-5 from the line Saturday evening- the Falcons second game to record an unblemished free-throw percentage on the season. However, Air Force didn't receive its first chance at a free-throw until 8:46 in the third quarter.

In the first half, the Falcons' defense caught Colorado off-guard, getting out to a quick 10-2 lead off a trio of steals from senior Kamri Heath. Heath closed the game as the Falcons' lead scorer for the fourth-consecutive game, posting 16 points, an assist, one rebound and four steals on the night- her third game of the season with three or more steals.

Air Force got out to a quick lead over Colorado through the opening minutes of the first quarter and successfully held CU to a one-possession advantage throughout the second, until a 7-0 run fueled by a three-pointer from sophomore Jo Huntimer and successful attempts from Heath and sophomore Madison Smith bought the Falcons a six-point lead before heading into the locker room at half.

The third quarter bought Colorado the relief it needed to regain control of the game, opening up a 6-0 run midway through the third quarter to regain the lead for the majority of the remaining minutes.

The Falcons were able to keep the score within two possessions for the entirety of the third quarter and the majority of the fourth. With 1:17 left to play and Colorado leading 65-60, junior Dasha Macmillan sank a three-pointer from the left wing to bring the Falcons back within two, but CU's Quay Miller was able to respond in the post, putting up a successful layup and drawing the shooting foul to close out Air Force's chances to secure the comeback. Miller, who was top-30 in the nation in total points and field-goal percentage, was held to just four points in three quarters. Entering halftime, Colorado's lead scorer had just two points on three total attempts.

Four Falcons including Heath closed out the night in double-digit scoring; Smith scored 14 points, including three-consecutive three-pointers in less than two minutes of play; Huntimer posted 12 points off 3-4 shooting from beyond the arc, including a career-high six steals; Macmillan scored 12 on the night. Including six rebounds and three assists.

The Falcons' road slate resumes on Nov. 25, as Air Force heads to Estero, Florida to take on Michigan in the first round of the Gulf Coast Showcase.

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