AFA, Colo.-Air Force hit a three-pointer with no time in regulation to force overtime where the Falcons defeated CSU Bakersfield 82-78 in women's basketball action Thursday night.
The Falcons (1-9) opened the game on a 10-2 run as the Roadrunners missed their first 11 shots before Brooklynn Hinkens (So., Lake Tapps, Wash., Auburn-Riverside HS) made a three-pointer 7+ minutes into the game. CSUB finally shook off the cold start and went on a 10-2 run of their own which was capped off by a Tyonna Outland (R-So., Compton, Calif., Lynwood HS) bucket for a one-point lead. The 'Runners would outscore Air Force 24-11 over the remaining 10 minutes of the opening frame to take a 26-21 lead into halftime.
CSUB (2-8) led by as much as seven early on in the second half, but a 14-4 rally returned the lead to Air Force, 43-40 midway through the frame. The Roadrunners matched the Air Force spurt with a 15-2 run of their own to earn a 10-point advantage with just over eight minutes to play. With CSUB leading 59-50 at the final media timeout of the second half, Air Force nine of the next 11 points in the game to make it 61-59 Roadrunners with 2:08 to go.
Taking advantage of a CSUB turnover, the Falcons tied the game at 61 when Katie Hilbig sank a pair of free throws. Williams missed a three-point attempt on the ensuing CSUB possession leading to a Hilbig field goal attempt. Hilbig missed with Batabe Zempare (Fr., Accra, Ghana, Scottsdale Chapparal HS) getting the rebound. The ball ended up in the hands of Ciarra Ford (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Mt. Sac College) who was fouled. Ford converted both of her free throws for a two-point CSUB advantage.
The teams battled down the stretch, Air Force would get back to within two, 68-66, after Alicia Leippardt sank a pair of free throws with eight seconds to go. The Falcons fould Ford who could only make 1-of-2 attempts to keep it a one-possession game. The miss would be big as Cherae Medina hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
CSUB opened up a 75-70 in overtime before a Leippardt three-point play made it a two-point ballgame. Outland responded with two free throws the next time down for CSUB. Air Force answered with five consecutive points and a one-point lead. Lauren Carter (R-Sr., Moorpark, Calif., Moorpark HS) tied the game when she made 1-of-2 free throws, but Air Force went back ahead on a Medina field goal.
The Roadrunners turned the ball over on their next possession, but forced a Falcons' turnover to get the ball back. Williams missed a layup forcing CSUB to foul Dymond James who made both of her attempts for the final 82-78.
Williams led all scorers with 24 points. Outland had 16 while Hinkens posted 10. Leipprandt paced Air Force with 21 points. Medina scored 15 with Hilbig scoring 12. CSUB would shoot 33.3% (24-for-72) for the game. The Roadrunners held a 39-26 advantage in free throw attempts, but could only make 26 attempts (66.7%). CSUB outrebounded Air Force 53-48.
The Roadrunners travel up I-25 to take on Colorado State Sunday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. (MST).
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