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Falcons Remain Undefeated With 78-65 Win At Weber State Air Force off to 3-0 start for the first time since 1994-95.
Nov. 25, 2005
Ogden, Utah - Shooting over 50 percent from the field for the second-straight contest, the Air Force women's basketball team captured a 78-65 road victory over Weber State Friday night at the Dee Events Center. The Falcons improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 1-2. The Falcons get off to their best start since moving to the Division I level in 1996. In addition, Air Force begins the season at 3-0 for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Air Force grabbed a 2-0 lead two minutes into the opening half and, shooting 50 percent from the field, did not relinquish its advantage for the remainder of the period. However, the Wildcats kept it close by getting to the free throw line, hitting nine-of-11 shots, while the Falcons attempted just two foul shots. Though Air Force got out to a 31-24 lead with just over a minute remaining on the clock, Weber State closed the half with five straight points to cut the margin to two at intermission. The Wildcats tied the score on their opening possession after the break and took a 35-33 lead, their first of the contest, at the 18:51 mark. After the lead had changed hands three more times, the Falcons went on a 11-2 run to go up 47-39. A trey by sophomore Pamela Findlay (Glenview, Ill.) extended Air Force's advantage to double-figures, which it held for most of the half. After sophomore Lauren Henderson (Nixa, Mo.) converted a three-point play in the last two minutes to give the Falcons their largest lead at 72-57, the Wildcats knocked down a pair of shots from long-range with 34.8 seconds remaining to cut the margin to nine. However, Air Force outscored Weber State 6-2 to hold on to the 12-point victory. Weber State was hot from the free throw line in the contest, converting on 23-of-26 attempts, and committed just three fouls in the first 33 minutes of the game, but shot only 32.7 percent from the field. In contrast, the Falcons finished with a 52.7 field goal percentage, including 40 percent from long-range, but attempted just 10 free throws, connecting on eight.
Henderson led the Falcons with a game-high 19 points and a career-high nine assists, while committing just one turnover. Also scoring in double figures for Air Force were sophomore Alecia Steele (Oklahoma City, Okla.), who added eight rebounds to her 17 points, Findlay and junior Dawn Higginbotham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) with 13 points each and sophomore Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill.), who pitched in 10 points. Sara Tuomi finished with a double-double for the Wildcats, with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Tashina Taylor and Jenna Griffitts added 10 points each. The Falcons return to action next weekend, Dec. 2-3, when they host the Academy Hotel Air Force Classic, featuring Bucknell, High Point and Stephen F. Austin. |
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