Thursday, December 29
USAFA, CO
6:30 PM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Utah State
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo / Elefterio
Women’s Basketball Hosts Utah State in Mountain West Debut
12/28/2022 11:34:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Air Force (5-7, 0-0 MW) vs. Utah State (3-8, 0-0 MW)
Clune Arena | USAFA, Colo.
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 – 6:30 p.m. MT
Air Force | Utah State | Mountain West
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's basketball team's bid for a Mountain West title begins Thursday evening as the Falcons return to Clune Arena to host Utah State.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force (5-7) seeks to start league play on the right foot, snapping a three-game skid which included a pair of close losses against a quad-one Utah Tech (73-70) and Big Ten opponent Northwestern (64-58).
The Falcons' offensive pulse is led by senior Kamri Heath (15.4 PPG), sophomore Madison Smith (12.0 PPG) and junior Kayla Pilson (10.1 PPG).
Heath and sophomore Jo Huntimer lead an Air Force defensive effort which currently ranks eighth in the nation in steals per-game (13.0) and 20th in total turnovers forced per-game (22.25). The duo boasts 34 steals apiece at 2.58 steals per-game- both leading the Mountain West in the former and tying for second in the latter.
Air Force has fallen by eight points or less in five of their six losses- three of which have been by two possessions or less. Five of the Falcons' defeats have come at the hands of Power Five opponents- two of which were a one-possession game heading into the final minute of regulation (at Colorado, at Northwestern).
Tip of the Spear
Kamri Heath leads Air Force in multiple scoring categories: Points (185), points per-game (15.4), field goals (76), field goal attempts (169) and field goal percentage (.450). Heath has posted double-digit scores in eleven of the Falcons' first twelve games and scored 20-plus in three contests, an effort underscored by a career-high 27-point outing against Navy in the Falcons' home opener on Nov. 11.
An Edmond, Okla. native, Heath returned to her home state with the Falcons, taking on Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Dec. 20. Heath, in front of a contingent of family and friends, spearheaded the Falcons' offense, posting 21 points (10-16 FG) to lead all players in scoring. Heath contributed seven boards to the Air Force tally in a team rebounding effort which nearly equaled that of Oklahoma States', with the Falcons totaling 38 to OSU's 39.
Smith's Sophomore Surge
Into the second season of her intercollegiate career, Madison Smith has proven an emergent figure in the Falcons' starting lineup, averaging 12.0 points per-game. Smith's .351 three-point percentage is the high-water mark among Air Force contributors with 20 or more attempts from distance and leads all starters. Smith is currently 21-22 (.955) from the free-throw line, with her lone missed attempt occurring versus No. 22 Michigan on (Nov. 25).
At Northwestern (Dec. 17), Smith led both teams in scoring, posting 21 points on the night behind an unblemished 10-10 from the free-throw line- one point shy of matching her career-high set against Georgia Tech in the Gulf Coast Showcase (Nov. 26).
Wa'ahila Workhorse
Honolulu native Jo Huntimer leads the Falcons in assists (58), assists per-game (4.8) and assist/turnover ratio (1.66)- all categories top-three figures among the Mountain West. On the defensive side, Huntimer, along with Kamri Heath, both tie for the lead against the league in total steals (34) and fall second in steals per-game (2.73). Huntimer, with 58 assists on the year thus far and 180 for her career, is just 64 shy of claiming the tenth spot on the Falcons' all-time assists record list.
Utah State at a Glance:
The Aggies (3-8) enter Thursday's match at Clune looking to avoid a four-game losing streak. In their last victory, Utah State defeated Utah Valley, 65-55 at home. The Aggies went 1-5 in road games through non-conference play, picking up their lone win outside of Logan at Weber State, 74.69, on Dec. 1.
Strength Versus Strength
Utah State is off to one of its best shooting seasons from behind the three-point line in program history, averaging 7.4 made threes per-game, while shooting at a .335 clip.
Air Force falls third in the Mountain West- fitting into the 85th percentile across Division I- in three-point percentage defense, holding non-conference opponents to just 22.25 percent from range.
Last Time/All-Time:
Air Force closed its series with the Aggies in 2021-22 with a 67-56 win, capping a season sweep and earning its fifth victory over Utah State in six contests; The Aggies hold a 14-7 edge in the all-time series against the Falcons.
2021-22 Mountain West Recap:
Air Force crafted its most successful season in program history in 2021-22, as the Falcons' 19 overall wins and 11 conference victories were both program-bests. Air Force claimed four season-sweeps of conference opponents, also a program first. The Falcons secured the program's first-ever bye in the Mountain West Tournament where they defeated Nevada to advance to the semifinal round for the first time in program history.
Coach G Gaining Ground
Head Coach Chris Gobrecht is currently serving her 43rd season as a head coach - the second-longest tenure in Division I women's hoops behind Stanford's Tara VanDerveer (44). Gobrecht's career win tally surpassed 600 wins in the Falcons' Nov. 11 home opener against Navy.
Into her eighth season at the head of the Falcons' program, Coach Gobrecht currently has 60 career Air Force wins to her name, making her the all-time winningest coach at three separate institutions- Air Force, Yale and Washington.
Gobrecht was named 2021-22 Mountain West Coach of the Year following Air Force's successful 19-14 season – A year punctuated by Gobrecht's fourth career WNIT appearance as a head coach, and the Falcons' first postseason appearance and subsequent win in program history – a 64-60 victory over WCC opponent San Francisco on March 17.
Last Time Out:
Despite trailing only by four heading into the locker room at halftime and holding Big XII opponent Oklahoma State to its lowest first-half score of the 2022-23 season, Air Force ultimately fell to a second half surge, 62-44, in Stillwater on Dec. 20.
How To Follow:
Thursday's game will be aired on the Mountain West Network with talent Roland Vargish and Jean Parker giving the courtside call; XtraSports Radio AM 1300 (Ryan Kaufman) will cover all of Mountain West regular-season competition for Air Force women's basketball; Live statistics will be available via the women's basketball schedule page on goairforcefalcons.com.
Next Up:
The Falcons are back on the road for a CBS Sports showdown at New Mexico on New Year's Day, with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Albuquerque.
Clune Arena | USAFA, Colo.
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 – 6:30 p.m. MT
Air Force | Utah State | Mountain West
Watch | Listen | Live Stats
Game Notes
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's basketball team's bid for a Mountain West title begins Thursday evening as the Falcons return to Clune Arena to host Utah State.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force (5-7) seeks to start league play on the right foot, snapping a three-game skid which included a pair of close losses against a quad-one Utah Tech (73-70) and Big Ten opponent Northwestern (64-58).
The Falcons' offensive pulse is led by senior Kamri Heath (15.4 PPG), sophomore Madison Smith (12.0 PPG) and junior Kayla Pilson (10.1 PPG).
Heath and sophomore Jo Huntimer lead an Air Force defensive effort which currently ranks eighth in the nation in steals per-game (13.0) and 20th in total turnovers forced per-game (22.25). The duo boasts 34 steals apiece at 2.58 steals per-game- both leading the Mountain West in the former and tying for second in the latter.
Air Force has fallen by eight points or less in five of their six losses- three of which have been by two possessions or less. Five of the Falcons' defeats have come at the hands of Power Five opponents- two of which were a one-possession game heading into the final minute of regulation (at Colorado, at Northwestern).
Tip of the Spear
Kamri Heath leads Air Force in multiple scoring categories: Points (185), points per-game (15.4), field goals (76), field goal attempts (169) and field goal percentage (.450). Heath has posted double-digit scores in eleven of the Falcons' first twelve games and scored 20-plus in three contests, an effort underscored by a career-high 27-point outing against Navy in the Falcons' home opener on Nov. 11.
An Edmond, Okla. native, Heath returned to her home state with the Falcons, taking on Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Dec. 20. Heath, in front of a contingent of family and friends, spearheaded the Falcons' offense, posting 21 points (10-16 FG) to lead all players in scoring. Heath contributed seven boards to the Air Force tally in a team rebounding effort which nearly equaled that of Oklahoma States', with the Falcons totaling 38 to OSU's 39.
Smith's Sophomore Surge
Into the second season of her intercollegiate career, Madison Smith has proven an emergent figure in the Falcons' starting lineup, averaging 12.0 points per-game. Smith's .351 three-point percentage is the high-water mark among Air Force contributors with 20 or more attempts from distance and leads all starters. Smith is currently 21-22 (.955) from the free-throw line, with her lone missed attempt occurring versus No. 22 Michigan on (Nov. 25).
At Northwestern (Dec. 17), Smith led both teams in scoring, posting 21 points on the night behind an unblemished 10-10 from the free-throw line- one point shy of matching her career-high set against Georgia Tech in the Gulf Coast Showcase (Nov. 26).
Wa'ahila Workhorse
Honolulu native Jo Huntimer leads the Falcons in assists (58), assists per-game (4.8) and assist/turnover ratio (1.66)- all categories top-three figures among the Mountain West. On the defensive side, Huntimer, along with Kamri Heath, both tie for the lead against the league in total steals (34) and fall second in steals per-game (2.73). Huntimer, with 58 assists on the year thus far and 180 for her career, is just 64 shy of claiming the tenth spot on the Falcons' all-time assists record list.
Utah State at a Glance:
The Aggies (3-8) enter Thursday's match at Clune looking to avoid a four-game losing streak. In their last victory, Utah State defeated Utah Valley, 65-55 at home. The Aggies went 1-5 in road games through non-conference play, picking up their lone win outside of Logan at Weber State, 74.69, on Dec. 1.
Strength Versus Strength
Utah State is off to one of its best shooting seasons from behind the three-point line in program history, averaging 7.4 made threes per-game, while shooting at a .335 clip.
Air Force falls third in the Mountain West- fitting into the 85th percentile across Division I- in three-point percentage defense, holding non-conference opponents to just 22.25 percent from range.
Last Time/All-Time:
Air Force closed its series with the Aggies in 2021-22 with a 67-56 win, capping a season sweep and earning its fifth victory over Utah State in six contests; The Aggies hold a 14-7 edge in the all-time series against the Falcons.
2021-22 Mountain West Recap:
Air Force crafted its most successful season in program history in 2021-22, as the Falcons' 19 overall wins and 11 conference victories were both program-bests. Air Force claimed four season-sweeps of conference opponents, also a program first. The Falcons secured the program's first-ever bye in the Mountain West Tournament where they defeated Nevada to advance to the semifinal round for the first time in program history.
Coach G Gaining Ground
Head Coach Chris Gobrecht is currently serving her 43rd season as a head coach - the second-longest tenure in Division I women's hoops behind Stanford's Tara VanDerveer (44). Gobrecht's career win tally surpassed 600 wins in the Falcons' Nov. 11 home opener against Navy.
Into her eighth season at the head of the Falcons' program, Coach Gobrecht currently has 60 career Air Force wins to her name, making her the all-time winningest coach at three separate institutions- Air Force, Yale and Washington.
Gobrecht was named 2021-22 Mountain West Coach of the Year following Air Force's successful 19-14 season – A year punctuated by Gobrecht's fourth career WNIT appearance as a head coach, and the Falcons' first postseason appearance and subsequent win in program history – a 64-60 victory over WCC opponent San Francisco on March 17.
Last Time Out:
Despite trailing only by four heading into the locker room at halftime and holding Big XII opponent Oklahoma State to its lowest first-half score of the 2022-23 season, Air Force ultimately fell to a second half surge, 62-44, in Stillwater on Dec. 20.
How To Follow:
Thursday's game will be aired on the Mountain West Network with talent Roland Vargish and Jean Parker giving the courtside call; XtraSports Radio AM 1300 (Ryan Kaufman) will cover all of Mountain West regular-season competition for Air Force women's basketball; Live statistics will be available via the women's basketball schedule page on goairforcefalcons.com.
Next Up:
The Falcons are back on the road for a CBS Sports showdown at New Mexico on New Year's Day, with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Albuquerque.
Players Mentioned
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