Air Force Women’s Basketball secured a narrow 65-64 victory over New Mexico Highlands on Saturday at Clune Arena. The game marked the first meeting between the two teams in more than 22 years.
The Falcons overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with key contributions from junior Jayda McNabb and New Mexico native Bhret Clay. Four Air Force players scored in double digits, led by junior Jordyn Devaughn with 16 points. Senior Milahnie Perry added 13 points, while Clay finished with 12—her fourth game this season scoring at least ten points. McNabb recorded an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double, her third of the season, along with a career-high seven assists and five steals.
The teams were tied at 17 after the first quarter. Air Force took more shot attempts but struggled to score early as New Mexico Highlands built an initial lead. A late run allowed Air Force to claim its first lead before NMHU’s Kapiolani Anitielu tied the game at the buzzer.
New Mexico Highlands regained control to end the half ahead by one point, thanks to consecutive baskets from Aniya Johnson. The Cowgirls maintained their advantage for most of the third quarter.
In the final period, Air Force trailed by nine but responded with a 13-0 run that included three-pointers and fast-break plays from Clay and Perry. With less than six minutes remaining, Perry gave Air Force a two-point lead.
Johnson twice brought NMHU back to tie late in the game, but McNabb scored on consecutive possessions for a three-point Falcon advantage with under a minute left. After Perry made free throws to extend the lead to four, NMHU’s Melika Samia completed an and-one play to cut it back to one point.
A turnover gave NMHU possession with twelve seconds left. On their final attempt, Anitielu lost control of the ball under defensive pressure from Perry, who recovered it as time expired.
Air Force led in several statistical categories including free throws made (11), rebounds (39), steals (14), points off turnovers (17), second-chance points (11), and fast-break points (17).
The Falcons are now 6-4 overall and will begin Mountain West Conference play against Utah State on December 17 before returning home to face Nevada on December 20.
