A short-handed Air Force women’s basketball team was unable to overcome New Mexico, falling 74-57 on Saturday at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Falcons trailed by just one point at halftime but could not keep pace in the second half.
Junior Keelie O’Hollaren led the Falcons with 14 points and five rebounds. Senior Emily Adams scored a career-high 13 points, adding three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Juniors Jayda McNabb and Alexis Cortez each contributed seven points, with McNabb collecting a game-high nine rebounds and four assists.
The lead changed hands three times in the first quarter before New Mexico finished the period ahead 19-14. Air Force struggled offensively late in the quarter, managing only one field goal during a five-minute stretch.
In the second quarter, Air Force rallied from a five-point deficit to tie the game after a three-pointer from Cortez and another basket by Adams. The teams traded leads until freshman AJ Mannering hit her first career three-pointer in the final minute of the half, bringing Air Force within one point at 32-31. The Falcons shot 42.9 percent from both the field and beyond the arc in that period.
After halftime, Air Force attempted to regain control but saw its deficit increase to double digits as O’Hollaren scored 10 points in the third quarter. However, New Mexico’s Joana Magalhaes responded with 13 points for UNM, helping her team build a 55-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter. New Mexico outscored Air Force 19-12 over the final ten minutes to secure victory.
Despite losing, Air Force (8-12 overall, 2-8 Mountain West) led New Mexico in rebounding (35), free throw percentage (.778), second-chance points (11), and fast-break points (five).
Air Force will next play Fresno State on January 31 in Fresno, California.
