Women’s Basketball Falls in Final Seconds to San Diego State

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force Women's Basketball built out an 18-point lead over San Diego State behind a blistering first-half performance on both ends of the floor, but the Falcons stalled in the second half and lost its grip, resulting in a 66-63 loss to the Aztecs on Wednesday at Clune Arena.

The Falcons went an even 10-20 (.500) from the three-point line, sinking the most threes faced by San Diego State this season; 11 Air Force steals in the game was one shy of matching an SDSU season high in steals committed on the SDSU in 2024-25.

Reigning Mountain West Player of the Week Madison Smith led all scoring on the floor, finishing with 19 points (7-15 FG, 3-7 3FG), 17 of which were earned in the first half; Junior Milahnie Perry added 14 (6-17 FG, 2-3 3FG); Sophomore Keelie O'Hollaren, for the third straight game and fifth in the last six, put up double-digits, finishing with 11, including a crucial three-pointer in the final 30 seconds to keep the Falcons' chances at a win afloat.

The Falcons (16-12, 6-10 MW) got to the SDSU basket early, as a pair of down-low looks for McNabb and a hook shot layup for Smith bought Air Force a lead in the early minutes of the game which they for the majority of the contest. Air Force opened the game 10-14 (.714) from the field and 4-5 (.800) from three-point range in the first quarter, with Smith notching of a pair of contested looks to lead the way. An 11-2 Air Force run put the Falcons up 14-8 at the first under-five media timeout. The Falcons held a 25-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Opening the second, the Falcons forced San Diego State into six-consecutive turnovers on as many possessions for the Aztecs, holding the opposition scoreless and without a field goal attempt for over five minutes of game time. Through that stretch, the Falcons put up 10 unanswered points, extending their lead to 35-18. Air Force and San Diego State exchanged threes down the final seconds of the half, ending in a 43-28 lead heading into the locker room.

After a 43-point first half, the Falcons were held to just 20 in the second, allowing San Diego State to climb out of its deficit. Air Force went 3-13 in the third and were outscored 15-10, but managed to retain a 10-point lead heading into the fourth.

An untimely 15-3 Aztec scoring run to open the fourth quarter eventually tied and gave San Diego State the ultimate lead. SDSU went up by six with 2:36 remaining. Inside the final minute, a Perry floater inside the paint and an O'Hollaren quick-release three-pointer with :28 seconds remaining got the Falcons back within a point of the Aztecs.

After a missed layup for SDSU's Nat Martinez with 13 seconds remaining and subsequent Jayda McNabb rebound, the Falcons took possession with a chance to retake the lead. Perry, advancing the ball and looking for the go-ahead score, saw her attempt blocked by Aztec Jazlen Green with four seconds to go.

Up Next:
Air Force Women's Basketball will honor its 2025 graduates on Saturday prior to a 1 p.m. start, hosting Boise State in the Falcons' 2024-25 home finale at Clune Arena on Altitude Sports.

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