Falcons Claim Victory Over Troublesome UCCS, 63-51

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- On a tough night at the basket for the Air Force women's basketball team, it was once again on the other side of the floor where the difference was made for the Falcons, who downed UCCS, 63-51 on Wednesday night at Clune Arena.

Air Force (5-4, 0-0 MWC) forced 35 turnovers against the Mountain Lions, generating 32 points in the process. Eight Falcons recorded at least one steal in the game, with senior Kamri Heath and sophomore Jo Huntimer accounting for ten between the two.

Senior Kamri Heath led the Falcon offense with 17 points on the night, along with four rebounds, three assists, and a career-high six steals. 15 of Heath's 17 points on the evening were created as a result of UCCS turnovers.

Senior Nikki McDonald posted ten points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in her fourth double-digit outing of the season. Air Force is 4-0 when McDonald scores ten or more in a game.

After the Falcons opened the night on a McDonald layup, Air Force fell into an early scoring drought, allowing UCCS to get out to a 10-2 lead behind points from the Mountain Lions' leading tandem of Amyah Moore Allen and Maison White. Midway through the opening quarter, junior Kayla Pilson was able to break up the UCCS run to open her evening. Pilson finished with seven points and 14 rebounds, doubling her former career high in boards.

Down 18-12 to open the second quarter, two successful free throws for Heath and a pair of mid-range baskets for McDonald and sophomore Madison Smith brought the score back to even. From there, the lead exchanged hands five times, before a Huntimer basket gave the Falcons a 27-26 lead, and a 7-0 Air Force run capped the half with the Falcons up 32-26.

The Falcons managed to keep hold of their lead throughout the remainder of the contest and pushed as much as a 14-point advantage late in the final quarter. A rapid five points for UCCS, fueled by the Mountain Lions' lone three-pointer of the evening cut into the Air Force lead, bringing UCCS back within nine with 4:14 remaining in regulation.

With 2:30 remaining and the Falcons leading 57-46, UCCS opened on a 5-0 run to bring the score back within two possessions with 1:45 remaining, but late fouls for both Moore Allen and White sent both Heath and McDonald to the line, who completed all four of their attempts to seal an Air Force victory.

The Falcons take on the final leg of their three-game home stand on Saturday, hosting Utah Tech at 1 p.m.

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