Falcons shoot past Regis, 72-52

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Shooting a school-record 72.7 percent from long range, the Air Force Academy women’s basketball team downed Regis University, 72-52, Jan. 8 for its largest victory of the season. With the win, the Falcons move to 5-8 on the season, while the Rangers fall to 10-3.

Regis got out to an early 6-1 lead, but Air Force regrouped, scoring the next 7 points to take its first lead of the game. The Rangers again went on top at 11-8, but Air Force once again scored 7 points to get back on top for good. The Falcons, shooting over 58 percent from the field in the first half and hitting five-of-six three-pointers (83.3 percent), led by as many as 12 before going into halftime with a 39-28 lead.

While the Falcons cooled down somewhat in the second half, it still was able to draw their lead out to 13 points with just under 8:45 remaining. The Rangers had a response, putting together an 11-1 run, which was helped by an intentional foul by the Falcons. Denise Lopez’s resulting pair of free throws and subsequent layup cut the deficit to 4 points at 56-52, and suddenly it looked like Air Force’s fifth win of the season might be in jeopardy.

The Falcons stepped up on their next possession as Letricia Castillo knocked down her second three-pointer of the day, stopping the Regis run in its tracks. The Rangers were held scoreless for the last six minutes of regulation, as Air Force cruised to the 20-point victory.

For the game, the Falcons, who average 38 percent from the field and 28 percent from long range, recorded a season-high 52.3 field goal percentage, hitting 8-of-11 shots. Meanwhile, it limited Regis to 34 percent field goal shooting and 16 percent from downtown.

Lauren Henderson led the Falcons with 15 points, hitting a school record 4-of-4 from long range, while three other Air Force players joined her in double-figures. Castillo added 14 points, Alecia Steele pitched in 12 points and Briana Thomas added 10 points to go along with her team-leading six rebounds. Also stellar for the Falcons was Jennifer Roesch who finished with 7 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

The Falcons play again Jan. 15 when they open the Mountain West Conference slate against No. 23 New Mexico University.