Saturday, January 14
USAFA, CO
1:00 PM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Fresno State
Women’s Basketball Hosts Fresno State on Saturday
1/13/2023 3:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Air Force (7-10, 2-3 MW) versus Fresno State (8-10, 1-4 MW)
Clune Arena | USAFA, Colo.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. MT
Air Force | Fresno State | Mountain West
Watch- Mountain West Network | Listen- XtraSports AM 1300 | Live Stats
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's basketball team opens part two of a three-game home stand, hosting Fresno State in a Saturday matinee at Clune Arena.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force resumes Mountain West play after splitting a pair of road games at San Jose (W, 77-64) and Nevada (L, 64-59), and falling in the final seconds in Clune Arena against Wyoming (L, 61-60) on Wednesday evening.
The Falcons' production on the offensive side is led by a backcourt pair consisting of senior Kamri Heath and sophomore Madison Smith, averaging 13.9 and 12.8 points per game, respectively.
Air Force leads the Mountain West in turnover margin (6.94), turnovers forced per-game (20.94), steals per-game (12.1) and three-point percentage defense (26.5). The Falcons have held opponents to .300 or less from three-point range on nine separate occasions this season.
Tip of the Spear:
Kamri Heath leads Air Force in multiple scoring categories: Points (236), points per-game (13.9), field goals (97), field goal attempts (213) and field goal percentage (.455). Heath has posted double-digit scores in 13 games and 20 or more in three contests, an effort underscored by a career-high 27-point outing against Navy in the Falcons' home opener on Nov. 11. Heath's .423 career field goal percentage (257-607) currently ties the Air Force Division I-era career record set by Pamela Findlay from 2004-08.
Heath has proven a key defender for the Falcons, coming just second to sophomore Jo Huntimer in steals (38) and steals per-game (2.24). The senior has logged a steal in 15 of Air Force's 17 games, including a career-high six steals in a 63-51 win over UCCS on Dec. 7.
Smith's Sophomore Surge:
Into the second season of her intercollegiate career, Madison Smith has taken a significant step forward, averaging 12.8 points per game. Smith's 24-60 from three-point land marks a team high in made three-pointers and attempts, while leading all starters with a .407 three-point percentage on the season.
Smith is currently 29-33 (.879) from the free-throw line for the season, a team high. 87% is just short of the Air Force single-season record (.918), set by Madeleine Philpot (2014-15).
At San Jose State (Jan. 5), Smith led the floor in scoring, resetting her career high for the third time this season with 23 points on 5-7 (.714) from three-point range, leading the Falcons to a 77-64 win.
Service Before Self:
Sophomore Jo Huntimer leads Air Force in total assists (82), assists per game (4.8) and assist/turnover ratio (1.91) - all categories top-three figures among the Mountain West. On the defensive side, Huntimer leads the program in total steals (39) and steals per game (2.29). 82 season assists leads the Mountain West.
With 82 assists on the year and 204 for her career, sophomore Jo Huntimer currently resides in eighth in program assists in the Falcons' Division I era. 205 assists ties seventh place, a spot held by former Falcons Anna Gault (2008-10) and Letricia Castillo (2003-07).
Defend Your Castle:
Air Force is 5-2 in Clune Arena, with wins over Navy, Adams State, UCCS, UTEP, and Utah State. The Falcons' two home losses (73-70 vs. Utah Tech, 61-60 vs. Wyoming) have fallen to the final possession.
A 5-1 start to the season in Clune marks a standard which had not been achieved since the program's final year as a member of Division II in 1995-96, in which Air Force went 7-1 at home before closing its season at 7-3.
Milahnie Stepping Up
Versus Wyoming on Jan. 11, freshman Milahnie Perry posted 22 points on 6-10 from the field, doubling her previous career high. The freshman shot an unblemished 9-9 from the free-throw line - another career benchmark – while logging one three-pointer and two rebounds along the way in 26 minutes played.
Fresno State at a Glance:
Seeking their first road win of the season, the Bulldogs (8-10, 1-4 MW) arrive at Clune seeking a foothold in the Mountain West after opening conference play on a three-game skid before finding its first league win against San Jose on Jan. 7. Last time out, Fresno State fell 49-43 at San Diego State.
Fresno's production on both ends of the court is highlighted by senior guard Amaya West. West, averaging 12.4 points per-game, leads the Bulldogs in steals (33) and steals per game (1.83). International senior Aimee Book (Nelson, New Zealand) leads the team in three pointers (35) and three-pointers per game (1.94).
Last Time/All-Time:
Fresno State maintains a 19-2 advantage in the all-time series against Air Force; both Falcon wins have come under the direction of head coach Chris Gobrecht, with the most recent success a 66-57 win in Clune on Jan. 19 of the previous season.
The Falcons split the season series with the Bulldogs in 2021-22, falling in Fresno 75-67 on Feb. 26.
Last Time Out:
A career night for freshman Milahnie Perry and an uptick in defensive energy fueled the necessary momentum for Air Force to close on a late lead over Wyoming on Wednesday evening, but the Falcons were left with a 61-60 loss to end the night at Clune Arena.
Perry totaled 22 points on 6-10 from the field, doubling her previous career high. The freshman shot an unblemished 9-9 from the free-throw line - another career benchmark – while logging one three-pointer and two rebounds along the way.
Up 60-59 with 11 seconds to go, it was a jump ball called against Air Force which handed Wyoming back possession with enough time for Tommi Olson to drive at the Air Force basket, sinking the game-winner as time expired.
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 tournament 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 62 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.
How To Follow:
Wednesday's game will be aired on the Mountain West Network free of charge; 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 close their three-game home stand on Monday evening hosting San Jose State at 6:30 p.m.
Clune Arena | USAFA, Colo.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. MT
Air Force | Fresno State | Mountain West
Watch- Mountain West Network | Listen- XtraSports AM 1300 | Live Stats
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force women's basketball team opens part two of a three-game home stand, hosting Fresno State in a Saturday matinee at Clune Arena.
Falcons at a Glance:
Air Force resumes Mountain West play after splitting a pair of road games at San Jose (W, 77-64) and Nevada (L, 64-59), and falling in the final seconds in Clune Arena against Wyoming (L, 61-60) on Wednesday evening.
The Falcons' production on the offensive side is led by a backcourt pair consisting of senior Kamri Heath and sophomore Madison Smith, averaging 13.9 and 12.8 points per game, respectively.
Air Force leads the Mountain West in turnover margin (6.94), turnovers forced per-game (20.94), steals per-game (12.1) and three-point percentage defense (26.5). The Falcons have held opponents to .300 or less from three-point range on nine separate occasions this season.
Tip of the Spear:
Kamri Heath leads Air Force in multiple scoring categories: Points (236), points per-game (13.9), field goals (97), field goal attempts (213) and field goal percentage (.455). Heath has posted double-digit scores in 13 games and 20 or more in three contests, an effort underscored by a career-high 27-point outing against Navy in the Falcons' home opener on Nov. 11. Heath's .423 career field goal percentage (257-607) currently ties the Air Force Division I-era career record set by Pamela Findlay from 2004-08.
Heath has proven a key defender for the Falcons, coming just second to sophomore Jo Huntimer in steals (38) and steals per-game (2.24). The senior has logged a steal in 15 of Air Force's 17 games, including a career-high six steals in a 63-51 win over UCCS on Dec. 7.
Smith's Sophomore Surge:
Into the second season of her intercollegiate career, Madison Smith has taken a significant step forward, averaging 12.8 points per game. Smith's 24-60 from three-point land marks a team high in made three-pointers and attempts, while leading all starters with a .407 three-point percentage on the season.
Smith is currently 29-33 (.879) from the free-throw line for the season, a team high. 87% is just short of the Air Force single-season record (.918), set by Madeleine Philpot (2014-15).
At San Jose State (Jan. 5), Smith led the floor in scoring, resetting her career high for the third time this season with 23 points on 5-7 (.714) from three-point range, leading the Falcons to a 77-64 win.
Service Before Self:
Sophomore Jo Huntimer leads Air Force in total assists (82), assists per game (4.8) and assist/turnover ratio (1.91) - all categories top-three figures among the Mountain West. On the defensive side, Huntimer leads the program in total steals (39) and steals per game (2.29). 82 season assists leads the Mountain West.
With 82 assists on the year and 204 for her career, sophomore Jo Huntimer currently resides in eighth in program assists in the Falcons' Division I era. 205 assists ties seventh place, a spot held by former Falcons Anna Gault (2008-10) and Letricia Castillo (2003-07).
Defend Your Castle:
Air Force is 5-2 in Clune Arena, with wins over Navy, Adams State, UCCS, UTEP, and Utah State. The Falcons' two home losses (73-70 vs. Utah Tech, 61-60 vs. Wyoming) have fallen to the final possession.
A 5-1 start to the season in Clune marks a standard which had not been achieved since the program's final year as a member of Division II in 1995-96, in which Air Force went 7-1 at home before closing its season at 7-3.
Milahnie Stepping Up
Versus Wyoming on Jan. 11, freshman Milahnie Perry posted 22 points on 6-10 from the field, doubling her previous career high. The freshman shot an unblemished 9-9 from the free-throw line - another career benchmark – while logging one three-pointer and two rebounds along the way in 26 minutes played.
Fresno State at a Glance:
Seeking their first road win of the season, the Bulldogs (8-10, 1-4 MW) arrive at Clune seeking a foothold in the Mountain West after opening conference play on a three-game skid before finding its first league win against San Jose on Jan. 7. Last time out, Fresno State fell 49-43 at San Diego State.
Fresno's production on both ends of the court is highlighted by senior guard Amaya West. West, averaging 12.4 points per-game, leads the Bulldogs in steals (33) and steals per game (1.83). International senior Aimee Book (Nelson, New Zealand) leads the team in three pointers (35) and three-pointers per game (1.94).
Last Time/All-Time:
Fresno State maintains a 19-2 advantage in the all-time series against Air Force; both Falcon wins have come under the direction of head coach Chris Gobrecht, with the most recent success a 66-57 win in Clune on Jan. 19 of the previous season.
The Falcons split the season series with the Bulldogs in 2021-22, falling in Fresno 75-67 on Feb. 26.
Last Time Out:
A career night for freshman Milahnie Perry and an uptick in defensive energy fueled the necessary momentum for Air Force to close on a late lead over Wyoming on Wednesday evening, but the Falcons were left with a 61-60 loss to end the night at Clune Arena.
Perry totaled 22 points on 6-10 from the field, doubling her previous career high. The freshman shot an unblemished 9-9 from the free-throw line - another career benchmark – while logging one three-pointer and two rebounds along the way.
Up 60-59 with 11 seconds to go, it was a jump ball called against Air Force which handed Wyoming back possession with enough time for Tommi Olson to drive at the Air Force basket, sinking the game-winner as time expired.
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 tournament 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 62 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.
How To Follow:
Wednesday's game will be aired on the Mountain West Network free of charge; 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 close their three-game home stand on Monday evening hosting San Jose State at 6:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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