Sunday, March 10
Las Vegas, Nev.
3 PM MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Fresno State
Falcons draw nine-seed Fresno State in opening round of 2024 Mountain West Basketball Championships
3/8/2024 2:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Head Coach Chris Gobrecht touts young Falcons’ development, recaps win over Boise State and looks ahead to postseason play
Air Force (15-16, 8-10 MW) vs. Fresno State (14-17, 7-11 MW)
Sunday, March 10, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. MT
Thomas & Mack Center | Las Vegas, Nev.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Listen: XtraSports AM 1300
Game Notes
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Air Force | Fresno State | Mountain West
Facebook | X | Instagram
Riding a three-game win streak into the postseason for the first time since 1993-94, the Air Force women's basketball team has its sights set on Las Vegas, as the Falcons prepare to take on the 2024 Mountain West Basketball Championships, scheduled for March 10-13 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Air Force, drawing an eight seed in this year's postseason bracket, will face No. 9 Fresno State in the opening round, tipping off at 3 p.m. MT on the Mountain West Network, with XtraSports AM 1300's Ryan Kaufman on the courtside call.
Quick Hits:
Coaches' Numbers:
Falcons at a Glance:
Falcon scoring is led by back court duo Milahnie Perry and Madison Smithh, both averaging 16.8 and 11.5 points per game, respectively.
In Mountain West games, the Falcons closed the season leading the league in three-point production (.350) and steals per game (11.00, 20th nationally). Across all games, Air force leads the Mountain West in turnover margin (+4.61, 25th nationally) and turnovers forced per game (19.32, 37th nationally).
MW Offensive Boards Leader:
Freshman Jayda McNabb's 3.9 offensive rebounds per game currently leads the Mountain West across all games and ranks 22nd in Division I. At 5'10", McNabb is one of four players in the country shorter than 6'0" currently averaging 3.9 offensive boards or greater. Against the Mountain West, McNabb currently averages 1.22 more offensive boards than second (Desi-Rae Young, UNLV).
All-Time/Last Time in the Tournament:
Air Force sports a 4-8 record in the Mountain West Tournament since the start of Chris Gobrecht's tenure as head coach. The Falcons, finishing league play with an 11-7 conference record in 2021-22, earned its first-ever bye in the tournament on the way to a 75-60 win over Nevada. Prior to the Gobrecht era of Falcon hoops, Air Force had won two postseason games in its Division I era, both over Colorado State in 2007 and 2011.
On March 5 of last season, the Falcons' season came to close, falling to No. 10 San Jose State, 62-51, in the opening round of the 2023 Mountain West Basketball Championships.
All Time/This Season Against Fresno State:
Air Force is 4-21 in the all-time series against Fresno State, with all four victories belonging to Chris Gobrecht's Falcons. Air Force went 0-2 against the Bulldogs in 2023-24, falling 74-68 at the Academy on Feb. 14 and 59-49 in Fresno to open Mountain West play on Dec. 30.
An Upward Trajectory for the Falcons
Across the board, Air Force's offensive production has improved since the start of Mountain West play in December. The Falcons, closing non-conference play averaging 61.6 points per game and sitting ninth in the league (61.00), currently ranks third in the Mountain West with a 65.56 scoring average in conference games. In field goal percentage, Air Force opened league play shooting .360 from the field (Utah State - last in the category - currently averages .369). The Falcons currently rank sixth in shooting percentage, getting .403 against MW opponents. From three-point range, Air Force - who shot what would currently be a league-low .266 from three at the start of conference play - leads the conference at .350 across the 18-game series.
Defeating Boise State on the road to close the 2023-24 regular season, Air Force rides a three-game win streak into postseason play for the first time since 1993-94.
By Land, Sea, or ...
A trio consisting of McNabb, Keelie O'Hollaren and Perry tops Air Force's league-leading three-point production, averaging .391 (18-46), .364 (60-165) and .353 (41-116), respectively.
Steal Brigade:
Air Force sports three players (Smith, Perry, McNabb) with top-ten league numbers in steals against Mountain West opponents. No other MW program has more than two. in 17 Mountain West games, McNabb's 1.82 steals average ranks second in the conference.
Air Force is Undefeated Overall When...
- Scoring 80 or more points (3-0);
- Scoring 70 or more points (8-0);
- Leading with five minutes to go (14-0);
- Shooting better than opponents (11-0).
Air Force is Undefeated in Clune Arena When...
- Leading opponents at halftime (7-0);
- Holding opponents to 60 points or less (5-0);
- Allowing opponents more points off turnovers (4-0);
- Out-rebounding opponents (6-0);
- Shooting 15 or more free throws (5-0).
- Leading opponents with five minutes to go (9-0).
Air Superiority:
Perry leads the Falcons in total points (522), points per game (16.8), field goal attempts (481) and baskets (193) and assists (84). Perry's 3.50 assist average in Mountain West games is currently the sixth-best mark in the league.
Earning a game high 20 points in Air Force's 85-46 win over Utah State (Feb. 28) to total 499 in 2023-24, Perry became Air Force's Division I single season points record holder, surpassing Riley Snyder's 490 in 2021-22.
Falling against Nevada on Feb. 7, Perry reset her career best, scoring 30 points on 10-20 FG and 4-5 from three, marking just the fifth 30-point output by a Falcon in the past decade and the second this season.
Defeating San Jose State on the road, 78-56, on Feb. 3, The Falcons were led by Perry's 24 points (9-14 FG, 4-6 3FG). Perry, opening the game with 14 points on a perfect 4-4 from three and 5-5 from the field gave the Falcons' leading scorer more points than the entire San Jose offense through the majority of the first half.
In Air Force's 75-71 win at Nevada (Jan. 10), Perry earned 26 points and led the floor in scoring, going 2-3 from three-point range and 8-10 from the free throw line, marking her third game since Dec. 16 with 26 points or more. Air Force's .625 mark from three against the Wolfpack is the highest percentage posted in a Mountain West game this season.
In the Falcons' preceding home contest against San Diego State on Dec. 3, Perry once again reset her career best, earning 28 in a 71-63 overtime victory over the Aztecs. Perry scored eight in the extra session against the Aztecs, paving the way for the Falcons' win.
Perry's 27 against Weber State (Dec. 16) was the Falcons' highest scoring individual performance since Kamri Heath earned 27 in Air Force's 2022-23 win over Navy (90-50, Nov. 11, 2022). Perry then followed up that performance by earning 28 in an overtime win over San Diego State (Jan. 3).
With 715 career points under her belt, Perry is currently on pace to become Air Force's 19th all-time career 1000-point scorer.
Next-Gen Fighters:
The 2023-24 Falcons roster seven freshmen, the largest class at Air Force since the 2016-17 season and the largest in the Mountain West this season. The newest cadre of cadets under Chris Gobrecht have had an immediate and seismic impact in 2023-24:
O'Hollaren, with 58 made threes in her freshman season, surpassed Mariah Forde's 57 (2017-18) on Feb. 28, going 4-6 in the Falcons' 85-46 win over Utah State to possess the most-ever made three-pointers by a freshman in their first year.
In the same game, McNabb surpassed Alecia Steele (2004- 05) as the program's Division I freshman rebounds record holder, now with 190 in 2023-24.
O'Hollaren, at San Diego State on Feb. 21, went 4-6 from three, finishing the night with 14 points, marking the tenth game of O'Hollaren's freshman season to shoot .500 or better from distance.
Alexis Cortez, at UNLV (Feb. 17), reset her career high, scoring 19 points on 8-11 from the field. McNabb added nine points, but also pulled down 15 rebounds career high), four assists and three steals.
McNabb, in a loss to Fresno State (Feb. 14), had an extremely efficient evening, contributing ten points, six rebounds, six assists (career high) and five steals (tied career high). Fellow newcomer Alexis Cortez also earned ten points on 4-7 shooting.
O'Hollaren earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors after earning 12 points on 4-5 FG and 3-4 from three at San Jose State (Feb. 3), marking her eighth game of the season to shoot .500 or better from three-point range.
At Nevada (Jan. 10), O'Hollaren earned 18 points behind 6-10 from the field and and a 4-6 showing from three., including an eight-point performance in the first quarter of the game, proving critical to the Falcons' 75-71 win over the Wolfpack.
In Air Force's 71-63 overtime win over San Diego State (Jan. 3), freshman Jordyn Devaughn contributed 11 points on 3-4 shooting from three.
Devaughn led the way in Air Force (7-5, 0-0 MW) scoring, earning a career-high 16 points at Clemson on Dec. 19. Fellow newcomer Keelie O'Hollaren followed up with 14 on 5-12 shooting and 4-8 from three-point range. Air Force finished the game with its second-best three-point percentage to this point of the season, shooting .387 while making a season-best 12 baskets from distance. An even .500 (28-56) from the field also marks a season-high in field goal percentage.
O'Hollaren's 15 points against Weber State (Dec. 16) were complimented by a 3-6 performance from three-point range, paving the way for the Falcons' 70-58 victory behind a season-best eight made threes.
Jayda McNabb earned the first double-double of her collegiate career, going for 13 points and 12 rebounds (team season high) in the Falcons' 61-56 win over UCCS (Dec. 5). Tuesday evening marked McNabb's second outing to score in double digits and her third with ten or more rebounds.
In Air Force's 83-61 win over Army (Nov. 17), O'Hollaren broke loose to the tune of 24 points on 9-18 shooting. With the Falcons beginning to gap Army down the final minutes of the third quarter, O'Hollaren ripped off eight points inside of 60 seconds including a pair of three-pointers on consecutive drives, pushing Air Force out to an 18-point advantage that ultimately could not be made up.
At Houston (Nov. 10), McNabb, in her second career start, earned six points, ten rebounds (game-high) and a block in 33 minutes; O'Hollaren logged seven points and four rebounds in 15 minutes.
In the Falcons' home-opening win against Denver on Nov. 6, O'Hollaren logged 16 points on 4-6 from three-point range; McNabb, starting in her intercollegiate debut, totaled nine points on the evening and three blocks – one more than any individual Falcon had in 2022-23; Alexis Cortez, in 19 minutes played, logged five points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
All-Time/Division I Single Season Record Tracker:
Milahnie Perry:
522 single season points - First in DI history and third all time.
545 ties second all time (Stacey Goss, 1985-86)
16.8 season PPG - Currently second in DI history and tenth all time.
17.4 ties first in DI history (LaToya Howell, 2002-03)
17.4 ties ninth all time (LaToya Howell, 2002-03)
.401 season FG% -
.430 ties tenth in DI history (Dymond James, 2009-10)
.508 ties tenth all-time (Melissa Standley, 1988-89)
Madison Smith:
65 season steals - currently fourth in DI history.
80 ties third in DI history (Courtney Porter, 2017-18)
70 ties tenth all-time (Jo Huntimer, 2022-23).
.825 FT% -
.827 ties tenth in DI history (Raimee Beck, 2009-10)
.826 ties tenth all time (Riley Snyder, 2019-20)
.414 season FG% -
.430 ties tenth in DI history (Dymond James, 2010-11)
.508 ties tenth all-time (Melissa Standley, 1986-87)
Taylor Britt:
59 season steals - currently ranks fifth in DI history.
60 ties fourth in DI history (Shanekia Peebles, 2000-01)
70 ties tenth all-time (Jo Huntimer, 2022-23).
All-Time/Division I Freshman Record Tracker:
Keelie O'Hollaren:
60 season 3PT - Ranks first in freshman DI/all-time history, is third in overall DI history and fourth all time.
72 ties second in DI history (Raimee Beck, 2008-09)
72 ties third all time (Raimee Beck, 2008-09)
165 season 3PTA - Ties second in freshman DI/all-time history, ties sixth in overall DI history and eighth all time.
202 ties first in freshman DI history and the all-time freshman record (Kaelin Immel, 2017-18)
167 ties fifth in DI history and seventh all time (Megan Thiedeman, 1998-99).
Jayda McNabb:
195 season rebounds ranks first in freshman DI history, third on the all-time freshman rankings and ties eighth in the overall Division I rankings.
237 ties second in the all-time freshman rankings (Stacie Brodzik, 1978-79)
209 ties seventh in overall DI history (Katie Hilbig, 2012-13)
228 ties tenth all time (Alecia Steele, 2006-07).
56 season steals - Currently ties for both third in freshman DI history, fourth on the all-time freshman rankings and is ninth in the overall Division I rankings.
58 ties second in freshman DI history (Courtney Porter, 2014-15)
58 ties third on the all-time freshman rankings (Cortney Porter, 2014-15)
57 ties eighth in Division I history (Briana Autrey-Thompson, 2020-21)
40 blocks - Currently ranks third in freshman DI history and fourth on the all-time freshman rankings.
26 ties second in DI freshman history (Ellen Jaeschke, 2004-05)
24 ties third in the all-time freshman rankings (Carrie Carrow, 1993-94)
48 FTM -
49 ties tenth in DI history (Riley Snyder, 2018-19)
62 ties tenth all-time (Rozalyn Russ, 1998-99)
Service Before Self:
In 2022-23, then-sophomore Jo Huntimer led Air Force in total assists (131), assists per game (4.2) and assist/ turnover ratio (2.30, 25th nationally) - all top-four figures among Mountain West competitors. On the defensive side, Huntimer led the program in total steals (70) and steals per game (2.26). Huntimer logged multiple steals in 21 of the Falcons' 31 games, posting a career-high six against Colorado on Nov. 19 and tying that figure against Boise State (Feb. 17) and New Mexico (Feb. 23).
Huntimer's 270 career assists currently puts her fourth in Air Force's DI history and eighth all-time; Nine more will tie third in DI history and seventh all-time (Raimee Beck, 2007-11.).
Cardiac Cadets:
Ten of the Falcons' contests in 2023-24 have fallen to a two-possession-or-less margin, with the most recent being Air Force's 62-56 loss to Nevada at home on Feb. 7.
On Jan. 3 in the Falcons' Mountain West home opener against San Diego State, Air Force stormed back from behind as much as 12 points in the third quarter to a tied game at the end of regulation. An eight-point overtime performance for Milahnie Perry drove a 10-0 Air Force run in the extra session to win 71-63.
At the Rainbow Wahine Showdown, (Nov. 24-26), games against both Hawaii (W, 54-51) and Idaho State (L, 55-52) were both decided by a single possession at the end of regulation.
Air Force's 65-63 win over Denver at Clune Arena (Nov. 6) in the Falcons' home opener fell to a decisive foul drawn by Madison Smith with just 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation to send her to the free throw line. Smith's pair of successful makes proved game-winning.
14 games in 2022-23 were decided by two possessions or less, with six contests falling to a single possession. At Colorado (Nov. 19), the Falcons trailed by two points entering the final minute of regulation before falling by eight, threatening the program's first-ever win against a Power Five opponent. At Northwestern (Dec. 17), Air Force led their Big Ten opponent with 2:30 remaining in regulation before the Wildcats slipped away, winning 64-58. All 31 games in 2022-23 were decided in regulation.
Last Time Out:
Air Force women's basketball claimed its first-ever win in Boise on Saturday afternoon, earning a 67-66 win at ExtraMile Arena off of a go-ahead jumper from Milahnie Perry with 3.5 seconds to go.
The Falcons (15-16, 8-10 MW), having to navigate a furious Boise comeback and significant foul trouble late in Saturday's game, led by as much as 20 points over the Broncos after a 15-29 (.517) first-half shooting performance that saw sophomore Milahnie Perry's eight second-quarter points outscore Boise State. Perry closed the day with a team-high 23 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3FG, 6-6 FT), followed by 15 for junior Madison Smith.
Air Force got out to a quick 11-2 start behind 5-6 shooting in the first three minutes of the contest and was able to maintain and extend a double-digit lead into halftime. Boise shot 5-15 and just 1-13 in the first and second quarters, relegating Boise to just three points off of free throws down the final seven minutes of the half, while the Falcons ripped off a 9-0 run, outscoring Boise State 14-3 through that frame to go into the locker room with a 36-18 lead.
Facing a grounded Boise State entering the third quarter, the Falcons managed to just to keep their opponent at bay, scoring 23 to Boise's 25. The Broncos, intent on making up their deficit from the free throw line in the second half, shot 13-17 from the stripe in the third, after making just eight trips to the line total in the first half. After being called for just eight fouls in the first half total, the Falcons were drawn into five team fouls in the first four minutes of the second half and 11 for the quarter, allowing the Broncos to begin chipping away at their deficit from the line. With Air Force's lead down to 13 on the final possession of the third quarter, Perry beat the buzzer on a step back three-pointer to give Air Force a 59-43 advantage going into the final quarter.
The Falcons had to weather a 23-8 scoring advantage for Boise in the fourth which had them on the receiving end of a 19-2 run for the Broncos, which resulted in the Falcons' lead evaporating, as Boise's Mya Hansen and Tatum Thompson combined for 19 points and 9-10 from the free throw line in the fourth to give Boise its first lead of the game with just two minutes remaining in regulation.
Perry, drawing a foul off of Thompson on the following possession, was able to reclaim an Air Force lead with 97 seconds to go, but Boise's Mya Hansen took back a 64-63 lead with 19 seconds remaining, driving the paint for an uncontested basket. The Perry/Hansen battle continued down to the final possession, as Perry drew Abby Muse into a shooting foul to reclaim a 65-64 lead, before Hansen was able to drive the Air Force basket for the final time, awarding the Broncos with a 66-65 lead with nine seconds remaining.
Air Force, advancing the ball off their final timeout, in-bounded the ball from Perry to Macmillan on the right wing, who handed it back. Perry, with seconds to go, drove from the top of the arc into heavy Boise traffic as the Bronco post defense converged on her in the paint, made the pull up jumper with 3.5 seconds to go. Boise, advancing to mid-court after its final timeout, in-bounded to Natalie Pasco who floated her attempt from the free throw line, missed her attempt, sealing the Falcons' first-ever win at ExtraMile Arena.
Sunday, March 10, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. MT
Thomas & Mack Center | Las Vegas, Nev.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Listen: XtraSports AM 1300
Game Notes
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Air Force | Fresno State | Mountain West
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Riding a three-game win streak into the postseason for the first time since 1993-94, the Air Force women's basketball team has its sights set on Las Vegas, as the Falcons prepare to take on the 2024 Mountain West Basketball Championships, scheduled for March 10-13 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Air Force, drawing an eight seed in this year's postseason bracket, will face No. 9 Fresno State in the opening round, tipping off at 3 p.m. MT on the Mountain West Network, with XtraSports AM 1300's Ryan Kaufman on the courtside call.
Quick Hits:
| Air Force: | Fresno State: | |
| Record: | 15-16 (8-10 MW) | 14-17 (7-11 MW) |
| Last Game: | at Boise St. (W, 67-66) | vs. New Mexico (L, 72-58) |
Coaches' Numbers:
| Air Force: | Fresno State: | |
| Head Coach: | Chris Gobrecht | Jaime White |
| Alma Mater/Year: | USC, 1977 | Utah Valley, 1989 |
| Record w/ Program: | 84-188 (2015-Current) | 354-237 (2014-Current) |
| Career Record: | 626-661 (1979-Current) | 294-267 (2006-Current) |
Falcons at a Glance:
Falcon scoring is led by back court duo Milahnie Perry and Madison Smithh, both averaging 16.8 and 11.5 points per game, respectively.
In Mountain West games, the Falcons closed the season leading the league in three-point production (.350) and steals per game (11.00, 20th nationally). Across all games, Air force leads the Mountain West in turnover margin (+4.61, 25th nationally) and turnovers forced per game (19.32, 37th nationally).
MW Offensive Boards Leader:
Freshman Jayda McNabb's 3.9 offensive rebounds per game currently leads the Mountain West across all games and ranks 22nd in Division I. At 5'10", McNabb is one of four players in the country shorter than 6'0" currently averaging 3.9 offensive boards or greater. Against the Mountain West, McNabb currently averages 1.22 more offensive boards than second (Desi-Rae Young, UNLV).
All-Time/Last Time in the Tournament:
Air Force sports a 4-8 record in the Mountain West Tournament since the start of Chris Gobrecht's tenure as head coach. The Falcons, finishing league play with an 11-7 conference record in 2021-22, earned its first-ever bye in the tournament on the way to a 75-60 win over Nevada. Prior to the Gobrecht era of Falcon hoops, Air Force had won two postseason games in its Division I era, both over Colorado State in 2007 and 2011.
On March 5 of last season, the Falcons' season came to close, falling to No. 10 San Jose State, 62-51, in the opening round of the 2023 Mountain West Basketball Championships.
All Time/This Season Against Fresno State:
Air Force is 4-21 in the all-time series against Fresno State, with all four victories belonging to Chris Gobrecht's Falcons. Air Force went 0-2 against the Bulldogs in 2023-24, falling 74-68 at the Academy on Feb. 14 and 59-49 in Fresno to open Mountain West play on Dec. 30.
An Upward Trajectory for the Falcons
Across the board, Air Force's offensive production has improved since the start of Mountain West play in December. The Falcons, closing non-conference play averaging 61.6 points per game and sitting ninth in the league (61.00), currently ranks third in the Mountain West with a 65.56 scoring average in conference games. In field goal percentage, Air Force opened league play shooting .360 from the field (Utah State - last in the category - currently averages .369). The Falcons currently rank sixth in shooting percentage, getting .403 against MW opponents. From three-point range, Air Force - who shot what would currently be a league-low .266 from three at the start of conference play - leads the conference at .350 across the 18-game series.
Defeating Boise State on the road to close the 2023-24 regular season, Air Force rides a three-game win streak into postseason play for the first time since 1993-94.
By Land, Sea, or ...
A trio consisting of McNabb, Keelie O'Hollaren and Perry tops Air Force's league-leading three-point production, averaging .391 (18-46), .364 (60-165) and .353 (41-116), respectively.
Steal Brigade:
Air Force sports three players (Smith, Perry, McNabb) with top-ten league numbers in steals against Mountain West opponents. No other MW program has more than two. in 17 Mountain West games, McNabb's 1.82 steals average ranks second in the conference.
Air Force is Undefeated Overall When...
- Scoring 80 or more points (3-0);
- Scoring 70 or more points (8-0);
- Leading with five minutes to go (14-0);
- Shooting better than opponents (11-0).
Air Force is Undefeated in Clune Arena When...
- Leading opponents at halftime (7-0);
- Holding opponents to 60 points or less (5-0);
- Allowing opponents more points off turnovers (4-0);
- Out-rebounding opponents (6-0);
- Shooting 15 or more free throws (5-0).
- Leading opponents with five minutes to go (9-0).
Air Superiority:
Perry leads the Falcons in total points (522), points per game (16.8), field goal attempts (481) and baskets (193) and assists (84). Perry's 3.50 assist average in Mountain West games is currently the sixth-best mark in the league.
Earning a game high 20 points in Air Force's 85-46 win over Utah State (Feb. 28) to total 499 in 2023-24, Perry became Air Force's Division I single season points record holder, surpassing Riley Snyder's 490 in 2021-22.
Falling against Nevada on Feb. 7, Perry reset her career best, scoring 30 points on 10-20 FG and 4-5 from three, marking just the fifth 30-point output by a Falcon in the past decade and the second this season.
Defeating San Jose State on the road, 78-56, on Feb. 3, The Falcons were led by Perry's 24 points (9-14 FG, 4-6 3FG). Perry, opening the game with 14 points on a perfect 4-4 from three and 5-5 from the field gave the Falcons' leading scorer more points than the entire San Jose offense through the majority of the first half.
In Air Force's 75-71 win at Nevada (Jan. 10), Perry earned 26 points and led the floor in scoring, going 2-3 from three-point range and 8-10 from the free throw line, marking her third game since Dec. 16 with 26 points or more. Air Force's .625 mark from three against the Wolfpack is the highest percentage posted in a Mountain West game this season.
In the Falcons' preceding home contest against San Diego State on Dec. 3, Perry once again reset her career best, earning 28 in a 71-63 overtime victory over the Aztecs. Perry scored eight in the extra session against the Aztecs, paving the way for the Falcons' win.
Perry's 27 against Weber State (Dec. 16) was the Falcons' highest scoring individual performance since Kamri Heath earned 27 in Air Force's 2022-23 win over Navy (90-50, Nov. 11, 2022). Perry then followed up that performance by earning 28 in an overtime win over San Diego State (Jan. 3).
With 715 career points under her belt, Perry is currently on pace to become Air Force's 19th all-time career 1000-point scorer.
Next-Gen Fighters:
The 2023-24 Falcons roster seven freshmen, the largest class at Air Force since the 2016-17 season and the largest in the Mountain West this season. The newest cadre of cadets under Chris Gobrecht have had an immediate and seismic impact in 2023-24:
O'Hollaren, with 58 made threes in her freshman season, surpassed Mariah Forde's 57 (2017-18) on Feb. 28, going 4-6 in the Falcons' 85-46 win over Utah State to possess the most-ever made three-pointers by a freshman in their first year.
In the same game, McNabb surpassed Alecia Steele (2004- 05) as the program's Division I freshman rebounds record holder, now with 190 in 2023-24.
O'Hollaren, at San Diego State on Feb. 21, went 4-6 from three, finishing the night with 14 points, marking the tenth game of O'Hollaren's freshman season to shoot .500 or better from distance.
Alexis Cortez, at UNLV (Feb. 17), reset her career high, scoring 19 points on 8-11 from the field. McNabb added nine points, but also pulled down 15 rebounds career high), four assists and three steals.
McNabb, in a loss to Fresno State (Feb. 14), had an extremely efficient evening, contributing ten points, six rebounds, six assists (career high) and five steals (tied career high). Fellow newcomer Alexis Cortez also earned ten points on 4-7 shooting.
O'Hollaren earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors after earning 12 points on 4-5 FG and 3-4 from three at San Jose State (Feb. 3), marking her eighth game of the season to shoot .500 or better from three-point range.
At Nevada (Jan. 10), O'Hollaren earned 18 points behind 6-10 from the field and and a 4-6 showing from three., including an eight-point performance in the first quarter of the game, proving critical to the Falcons' 75-71 win over the Wolfpack.
In Air Force's 71-63 overtime win over San Diego State (Jan. 3), freshman Jordyn Devaughn contributed 11 points on 3-4 shooting from three.
Devaughn led the way in Air Force (7-5, 0-0 MW) scoring, earning a career-high 16 points at Clemson on Dec. 19. Fellow newcomer Keelie O'Hollaren followed up with 14 on 5-12 shooting and 4-8 from three-point range. Air Force finished the game with its second-best three-point percentage to this point of the season, shooting .387 while making a season-best 12 baskets from distance. An even .500 (28-56) from the field also marks a season-high in field goal percentage.
O'Hollaren's 15 points against Weber State (Dec. 16) were complimented by a 3-6 performance from three-point range, paving the way for the Falcons' 70-58 victory behind a season-best eight made threes.
Jayda McNabb earned the first double-double of her collegiate career, going for 13 points and 12 rebounds (team season high) in the Falcons' 61-56 win over UCCS (Dec. 5). Tuesday evening marked McNabb's second outing to score in double digits and her third with ten or more rebounds.
In Air Force's 83-61 win over Army (Nov. 17), O'Hollaren broke loose to the tune of 24 points on 9-18 shooting. With the Falcons beginning to gap Army down the final minutes of the third quarter, O'Hollaren ripped off eight points inside of 60 seconds including a pair of three-pointers on consecutive drives, pushing Air Force out to an 18-point advantage that ultimately could not be made up.
At Houston (Nov. 10), McNabb, in her second career start, earned six points, ten rebounds (game-high) and a block in 33 minutes; O'Hollaren logged seven points and four rebounds in 15 minutes.
In the Falcons' home-opening win against Denver on Nov. 6, O'Hollaren logged 16 points on 4-6 from three-point range; McNabb, starting in her intercollegiate debut, totaled nine points on the evening and three blocks – one more than any individual Falcon had in 2022-23; Alexis Cortez, in 19 minutes played, logged five points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
All-Time/Division I Single Season Record Tracker:
Milahnie Perry:
522 single season points - First in DI history and third all time.
545 ties second all time (Stacey Goss, 1985-86)
16.8 season PPG - Currently second in DI history and tenth all time.
17.4 ties first in DI history (LaToya Howell, 2002-03)
17.4 ties ninth all time (LaToya Howell, 2002-03)
.401 season FG% -
.430 ties tenth in DI history (Dymond James, 2009-10)
.508 ties tenth all-time (Melissa Standley, 1988-89)
Madison Smith:
65 season steals - currently fourth in DI history.
80 ties third in DI history (Courtney Porter, 2017-18)
70 ties tenth all-time (Jo Huntimer, 2022-23).
.825 FT% -
.827 ties tenth in DI history (Raimee Beck, 2009-10)
.826 ties tenth all time (Riley Snyder, 2019-20)
.414 season FG% -
.430 ties tenth in DI history (Dymond James, 2010-11)
.508 ties tenth all-time (Melissa Standley, 1986-87)
Taylor Britt:
59 season steals - currently ranks fifth in DI history.
60 ties fourth in DI history (Shanekia Peebles, 2000-01)
70 ties tenth all-time (Jo Huntimer, 2022-23).
All-Time/Division I Freshman Record Tracker:
Keelie O'Hollaren:
60 season 3PT - Ranks first in freshman DI/all-time history, is third in overall DI history and fourth all time.
72 ties second in DI history (Raimee Beck, 2008-09)
72 ties third all time (Raimee Beck, 2008-09)
165 season 3PTA - Ties second in freshman DI/all-time history, ties sixth in overall DI history and eighth all time.
202 ties first in freshman DI history and the all-time freshman record (Kaelin Immel, 2017-18)
167 ties fifth in DI history and seventh all time (Megan Thiedeman, 1998-99).
Jayda McNabb:
195 season rebounds ranks first in freshman DI history, third on the all-time freshman rankings and ties eighth in the overall Division I rankings.
237 ties second in the all-time freshman rankings (Stacie Brodzik, 1978-79)
209 ties seventh in overall DI history (Katie Hilbig, 2012-13)
228 ties tenth all time (Alecia Steele, 2006-07).
56 season steals - Currently ties for both third in freshman DI history, fourth on the all-time freshman rankings and is ninth in the overall Division I rankings.
58 ties second in freshman DI history (Courtney Porter, 2014-15)
58 ties third on the all-time freshman rankings (Cortney Porter, 2014-15)
57 ties eighth in Division I history (Briana Autrey-Thompson, 2020-21)
40 blocks - Currently ranks third in freshman DI history and fourth on the all-time freshman rankings.
26 ties second in DI freshman history (Ellen Jaeschke, 2004-05)
24 ties third in the all-time freshman rankings (Carrie Carrow, 1993-94)
48 FTM -
49 ties tenth in DI history (Riley Snyder, 2018-19)
62 ties tenth all-time (Rozalyn Russ, 1998-99)
Service Before Self:
In 2022-23, then-sophomore Jo Huntimer led Air Force in total assists (131), assists per game (4.2) and assist/ turnover ratio (2.30, 25th nationally) - all top-four figures among Mountain West competitors. On the defensive side, Huntimer led the program in total steals (70) and steals per game (2.26). Huntimer logged multiple steals in 21 of the Falcons' 31 games, posting a career-high six against Colorado on Nov. 19 and tying that figure against Boise State (Feb. 17) and New Mexico (Feb. 23).
Huntimer's 270 career assists currently puts her fourth in Air Force's DI history and eighth all-time; Nine more will tie third in DI history and seventh all-time (Raimee Beck, 2007-11.).
Cardiac Cadets:
Ten of the Falcons' contests in 2023-24 have fallen to a two-possession-or-less margin, with the most recent being Air Force's 62-56 loss to Nevada at home on Feb. 7.
On Jan. 3 in the Falcons' Mountain West home opener against San Diego State, Air Force stormed back from behind as much as 12 points in the third quarter to a tied game at the end of regulation. An eight-point overtime performance for Milahnie Perry drove a 10-0 Air Force run in the extra session to win 71-63.
At the Rainbow Wahine Showdown, (Nov. 24-26), games against both Hawaii (W, 54-51) and Idaho State (L, 55-52) were both decided by a single possession at the end of regulation.
Air Force's 65-63 win over Denver at Clune Arena (Nov. 6) in the Falcons' home opener fell to a decisive foul drawn by Madison Smith with just 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation to send her to the free throw line. Smith's pair of successful makes proved game-winning.
14 games in 2022-23 were decided by two possessions or less, with six contests falling to a single possession. At Colorado (Nov. 19), the Falcons trailed by two points entering the final minute of regulation before falling by eight, threatening the program's first-ever win against a Power Five opponent. At Northwestern (Dec. 17), Air Force led their Big Ten opponent with 2:30 remaining in regulation before the Wildcats slipped away, winning 64-58. All 31 games in 2022-23 were decided in regulation.
Last Time Out:
Air Force women's basketball claimed its first-ever win in Boise on Saturday afternoon, earning a 67-66 win at ExtraMile Arena off of a go-ahead jumper from Milahnie Perry with 3.5 seconds to go.
The Falcons (15-16, 8-10 MW), having to navigate a furious Boise comeback and significant foul trouble late in Saturday's game, led by as much as 20 points over the Broncos after a 15-29 (.517) first-half shooting performance that saw sophomore Milahnie Perry's eight second-quarter points outscore Boise State. Perry closed the day with a team-high 23 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3FG, 6-6 FT), followed by 15 for junior Madison Smith.
Air Force got out to a quick 11-2 start behind 5-6 shooting in the first three minutes of the contest and was able to maintain and extend a double-digit lead into halftime. Boise shot 5-15 and just 1-13 in the first and second quarters, relegating Boise to just three points off of free throws down the final seven minutes of the half, while the Falcons ripped off a 9-0 run, outscoring Boise State 14-3 through that frame to go into the locker room with a 36-18 lead.
Facing a grounded Boise State entering the third quarter, the Falcons managed to just to keep their opponent at bay, scoring 23 to Boise's 25. The Broncos, intent on making up their deficit from the free throw line in the second half, shot 13-17 from the stripe in the third, after making just eight trips to the line total in the first half. After being called for just eight fouls in the first half total, the Falcons were drawn into five team fouls in the first four minutes of the second half and 11 for the quarter, allowing the Broncos to begin chipping away at their deficit from the line. With Air Force's lead down to 13 on the final possession of the third quarter, Perry beat the buzzer on a step back three-pointer to give Air Force a 59-43 advantage going into the final quarter.
The Falcons had to weather a 23-8 scoring advantage for Boise in the fourth which had them on the receiving end of a 19-2 run for the Broncos, which resulted in the Falcons' lead evaporating, as Boise's Mya Hansen and Tatum Thompson combined for 19 points and 9-10 from the free throw line in the fourth to give Boise its first lead of the game with just two minutes remaining in regulation.
Perry, drawing a foul off of Thompson on the following possession, was able to reclaim an Air Force lead with 97 seconds to go, but Boise's Mya Hansen took back a 64-63 lead with 19 seconds remaining, driving the paint for an uncontested basket. The Perry/Hansen battle continued down to the final possession, as Perry drew Abby Muse into a shooting foul to reclaim a 65-64 lead, before Hansen was able to drive the Air Force basket for the final time, awarding the Broncos with a 66-65 lead with nine seconds remaining.
Air Force, advancing the ball off their final timeout, in-bounded the ball from Perry to Macmillan on the right wing, who handed it back. Perry, with seconds to go, drove from the top of the arc into heavy Boise traffic as the Bronco post defense converged on her in the paint, made the pull up jumper with 3.5 seconds to go. Boise, advancing to mid-court after its final timeout, in-bounded to Natalie Pasco who floated her attempt from the free throw line, missed her attempt, sealing the Falcons' first-ever win at ExtraMile Arena.
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/ Women's BasketballStacy McIntyre and Player Post Portland State 2025
Tuesday, November 18
Falcons take care of the Vikings at home
Tuesday, November 18
Women take win over Manhattan
Saturday, November 15
Air Force Women's Basketball 24 25 Season Highlights
Friday, April 11
