Air Force women drop overtime contest to San Diego, 80-78

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Despite a late-game rally to force an extra period, the Air Force women’s basketball team was unable to pull out the overtime victory, falling to the Toreros of the University of San Diego, 80-78, Dec. 22.

San Diego (5-5) jumped out to a 12-2 lead, hitting four consecutive three-pointers, and never looked back. Although the Falcons (3-7) came within four points halfway through the opening stanza, they never threatened in the first half, trailing by as many as 12 points. The Toreros shot nearly 52 percent from the field and were a perfect 10-of-10 at the foul line in the first period, enabling them to take a 45-37 lead into the locker room.

After San Diego again extended its lead to 12 points in the second half, the Falcons began to make their move midway through the period. Air Force finally came within a point of the Toreros at the 5:55 mark when Dawn Higginbotham hit a pair of free throws to bring the score to 63-62. However, San Diego quickly responded, pushing its lead back out to four.

Down 71-67 with just over a minute left on the clock, Letricia Castillo hit her only three-pointer of the day to bring Air Force back within one. On the other end, San Diego’s Sabine Loewe hit one of two free throws to move the score to 72-70, but with just 34 seconds remaining, the Falcon's Jennifer Roesch sank two foul shots to tie the game for the first time. A Torero turnover gave the Falcons an opportunity to win the game in regulation, but a jumper by Lauren Henderson fell just short, sending Air Force to its second overtime game of the season.

The Toreros scored the first four points in overtime to reestablish their lead. Air Force cut the deficit back to one with a three-point play by Alecia Steele but could not get enough defensive stops to take the lead. Despite a last-second basket by Falcon Pamela Findlay, San Diego was able to hold on for the 80-78 victory.

Air Force outrebounded its opponent for the ninth time in 10 games this season and held a distinct advantage on the offensive glass, where it outrebounded the Toreros 21-10. The Falcons also forced 22 turnovers and scored more field goals in the contest (27 to 23). However, San Diego beat them from beyond the arc as well as at the charity stripe. The Toreros were 6-of-15 from long range and 28-of-33 at the free throw line.

Steele scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Falcons, while also adding six rebounds. Castillo recorded 13 points and eight rebounds, while Roesch scored 11 points with five assists and four rebounds. In addition, Henderson grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in the contest to go along with her three points and five assists.

The Falcons will have the next eight days off for the holiday break before returning to action on Dec. 30, when they host service academy rival Navy.