Women’s basketball takes step forward in loss to No. 25 UNLV

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Pitted against one of the most experienced programs in the Mountain West and a program which has not lost a conference match up in nearly two years, the Air Force women's basketball team – one of the least experienced in the league – showed flashes of its progress on Saturday afternoon in a 76-64 loss to No. 25 UNLV.

Three Falcons ended the contest in double digits, led by senior Dasha Macmillan's 19, a season best. Macmillan finished the game 7-11 from the field and 3-6 from three-point range. Macmillan's benchmark performance was fueled by a 12-point, 5-6 FG and 2-2 3FG showing in the fourth quarter. Freshman Keelie O'Hollaren followed up with 15 points, shooting 7-11 and 3-6 from three, marking the fourth game of her inaugural season to shoot .500 or better from three with three or more attempts. Sophomore Milahnie Perry added ten points to the Falcon total – her fourth-straight game to earn double-digit points for the Falcons – while also giving out six assists, tying the season-high figure in that category.

In arguably its toughest assignment so far this season, Air Force managed to keep a win within its reach against a UNLV squad which posted the most points the Falcons have faced season and the second-most field goals (66), despite also only getting to the free throw line six times to UNLV's 19.

As a team, Air Force (9-9, 2-3) shot 43 percent (9-21) from three, marking its third-straight game to shoot .400 or better from distance.

UNLV claimed an early lead, but Air Force kept within two possessions of the Lady Rebels through the bulk of the first quarter behind goals from four separate Falcons in the first quarter. Air Force battled back to tie and claim their only lead of the contest at the 2:30 mark off a drive from freshman Jordyn Devaughn (4 PTS, 2-4 FG), but a second-change three-pointer for Lady Rebel Alyssa Durazo-Frescas put UNLV back in front, 14-13, at the end of the first quarter buzzer.

UNLV began to create separation in the second quarter, outscoring the Falcons 24-12 to lead 38-25 at halftime. O'Hollaren's second three of the game out in the right corner snapped a four-minute cold spell for Falcons down the final minutes of the first half. Heading into the locker room, O'Hollaren had ten points on 4-6 shooting and 2-4 from three-point range in the second quarter, scoring all but one of Air Force's five baskets during that time.

Air Force opened the second half with a pair of threes on its first two possessions from Jayda McNabb and Dasha Macmillan to bring the Falcons back within single digits. A pair of successful free throws from Perry off a shooting foul cut the Lady Rebels' lead back to seven at 40-33.

Air Force outscored UNLV 6-2 from six-minute mark in the third, but UNLV responded with a quick six points off a left-wing three from Durasco-Frescas and a successful and-one opportunity Nneka Obiazor, giving UNLV a double-digit lead which it would keep through the remainder of the game.

Despite being down 59-44 heading into the final quarter, Air Force refused to concede defeat to the Lady Rebels, making a final push and outscoring UNLV 20-17 behind a 12-point showing for Macmillan, who went 5-6 from the field and 2-2 from three for the quarter to eclipse her season high of 15, set against Northern Colorado on Dec. 9. As a team, the Falcons closed the contest on 8-16 FG and 3-4 from three.

Up Next:
Air Force women's basketball plays its first and only road game in the state of Colorado, taking on Colorado State at Moby Arena in Fort Collins on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Women’s basketball takes step forward in loss to No. 25 UNLV

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Team Stats

Dasha Macmillan

Keelie O'Hollaren

Milahnie Perry

Madison Smith

Players Mentioned

Dasha Macmillan

Jayda McNabb

Keelie O'Hollaren

Milahnie Perry

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