Basketball: Air Force drops heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago

  • Published
  • By Melissa McKeown
  • U.S. Air Force Academy
CHICAGO (AFPN) --  Despite leading for most of the contest, the Air Force women's basketball team lost a 58-57 heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago here today at the UIC Pavilion. The Falcons fall to 3-6 on the season, while the Flames improve to 4-5.

The Flames took an early 4-3 lead, but a 10-0 run put the Falcons ahead for the remainder of the half. UIC responded with a run of their own to cut its deficit to a single point at 15-14, but Air Force regained control, outscoring the Flames 16-2 over the next seven minutes. However, UIC once again put together a quick spurt, scoring eight unanswered points to close the half, bringing the score at intermission to 31-25.

UIC made several runs at the Falcons in the second half, finally grabbing a 52-51 lead with 5:30 remaining. After nearly three scoreless minutes, Air Force went back on top with a layup by junior Pamela Findlay, from Glenview, Ill., while Letricia Castillo, a senior from Anchorage, Alaska added a bucket to put the Falcons up 55-52.

However, the Flames weren't done, coming back within a single point on two occasions before finally grabbing the lead again with less than a minute remaining. Air Force had a few last opportunities for the win, but were unable to score, falling in the 58-57 contest.

The Falcons shot over 45 percent for the game, including 50 percent in the opening stanza, but committed a season-high 28 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Flames had just 14 turnovers in the win.

Castillo and Findlay led Air Force with 14 points each, while Findlay also had a team-high eight points and four assists. Jacquay Holmes led UIC with 17 points, including the game-winner.

The Falcons are back in action on Dec. 13 when they travel up I-25 to face in-state rival Denver. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Magness Arena.

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