Air Force secured a 61-45 victory over Nevada in women’s basketball on Saturday at Clune Arena. The Falcons established an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, recording one of their strongest shooting performances this season.
The team improved to a 7-5 overall record and 1-1 in Mountain West play. Air Force made nine out of 18 three-point attempts, achieving a .500 percentage from beyond the arc, which is its highest for the current season. Overall, the Falcons shot 41 percent from the field (24-for-59), marking their second-best shooting performance so far this year.
Defensively, Air Force limited Nevada to just 13 field goals on 26 percent shooting. Nevada also managed only five assists during the game.
Senior Milahnie Perry led Air Force with 16 points, going six-for-nine from the field and making both her three-point and free throw attempts. Perry also collected six rebounds and three assists. With her performance, she surpassed Pat Swanke for sixth place on Air Force’s all-time career scoring list. Junior Keelie O’Hollaren contributed ten points and three rebounds, while freshman Bhret Clay added eight points.
The first quarter ended with Air Force ahead by two points after Perry scored the opening four points for her team. Although Nevada tied the score twice in the first half, Air Force pulled away in the second quarter with an 18-6 run, holding Nevada to just three successful shots out of thirteen attempts during that period.
At halftime, Air Force led 31-17 following eight second-quarter points from Perry and perfect three-point shooting as a team during that frame.
In the third quarter, Air Force expanded its advantage to as much as 23 points. O’Hollaren scored five points in that period while Clay and junior Jayda McNabb each made a three-pointer.
Nevada outscored Air Force in the final quarter but could not overcome the deficit. Freshman Maddy Jensen capped off scoring for Air Force with an “and-one” drive past defenders.
Throughout the contest, Air Force led in several statistical categories including total field goals made (24), three-pointers (nine), rebounds (38), assists (15), bench scoring (23), points off turnovers (21), second-chance points (eight), fast-break points (five), steals (five) and paint scoring (30).
This win ended a three-game losing streak against Nevada and brought Air Force’s record against them to 11 wins and 22 losses all time.
Air Force will resume Mountain West play on December 31 at San Diego State before returning home to face UNLV on January 3.
