Air Force drops exhibition to Metro State, 65-60 Published Nov. 5, 2006 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Shooting just 50 percent from the free throw line, the Air Force women's basketball team suffered a 65-60 exhibition loss to Metro State Sunday afternoon in Clune Arena. The Falcons led 20-14 with just over four minutes remaining in the opening period, but the Roadrunners went on a 10-1 run to close the half. Although Air Force outshot Metro State from the field in the first half, the Falcons hit just 30 percent (3-of-10) of their attempts from the charity stripe. Metro State continued to increase its lead after the break, getting its largest lead of 41-27 at the 14:27 mark. The Roadrunners were still up 51-41 when the Falcons began to go on a run, scoring 11 straight points to take the 52-51 advantage with just under six minutes to play. Metro State had the momentum swing back in its direction, outscoring Air Force 8-2 before the Falcons' Alecia Steele (Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.) was able to tie the game at 59-59. Air Force would not regain control however, as the Roadrunners knocked down four free throws down the stretch to take the 65-60 win. Steele led Air Force with 21 points, while senior Dawn Higginbotham (Colorado Springs, Colo.) tallied a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, leading the Roadrunners with 14 points each were Danielle Ellerington and Megan Sinclair, who was 10-of-12 from the free throw line. While the Falcons shot nearly 42 percent from the field, they were 0-of-8 from long range and 14-of-28 from the foul line. Metro State shot just over 39 percent from the field, but knocked down 4-of-9 from three-point range in the second half, while also hitting 19-of-25 free throws in the game. With its exhibition schedule complete, the Falcons get the 2006-07 season off to an official start when they host Big Ten opponent Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 10. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Clune Arena.