Academy hoopsters top Canadian college

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ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia (AFPN) --  In the first exhibition game of its Canadian tour, the Air Force women's basketball team defeated University College of the Fraser Valley, 70-55, at UCFV's Student Activity Centre on Aug. 2.

Senior Letricia Castillo of Anchorage, Alaska, led the Falcons with 18 points.

After a pair of early free throws gave the Cascades a 2-0 lead, the Falcons went on a 9-0 run and had a 22-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Back-to-back baskets to start the second quarter helped Air Force extend its advantage to 18 points, but UCFV was able to outscore the Falcons 15-12 in the period to cut the margin to 32-23 at the half.

Air Force began to pull away in the second half, paced by a 10-0 run to give the Falcons a 54-32 advantage. Sophomore Chasmine Jones of West Covina, Calif., seeing her first action since last November after missing the bulk of the 2005-06 season due to injury, scored Air Force's final six points of the third period to give the team a 24-point advantage.

Although UCFV made a run in the final period, outscoring Air Force 19-8, the Falcons were too much to overcome, holding on for the 70-55 victory.

Air Force shot 46 percent for the game but connected on just three of eight free throws. Meanwhile, UCFV hit just 19 field goals but were 15-of-20 from the charity stripe. The Falcons also outrebounded the Cascades 37-30 and grabbed 13 steals in the game.

Junior Alecia Steele of Oklahoma City scored 13 points and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds, while Jones finished with 12 points and five rebounds. For the Cascades, Carmella Silvestri was the lone scorer in double figures, notching 10 points. 

The Falcons continue their 2006 summer tour Aug. 3 when they take on Trinity Western.