The Air Force Falcons snapped Colorado State's three-game win streak on Wednesday to earn their first Mountain West Conference win of the season.
The Falcons snapped a skid of their own after dropping their last six contests, including losses to No. 20 Minnesota and No. 7 Oregon. They currently sit at 5-9, 1-2 in the Mountain West as Colorado State falls to 7-7 and 1-2. This is the first Air Force win over CSU since 2011.
First half highlights from tonight's game against CSU #GotTheW pic.twitter.com/8Yk5O6gJ44
— Air Force Women's Hoops (@AF_WBB) January 10, 2019
Offensively the Falcons took charge from the jump and never looked back with a 16-11 lead after the first quarter.
Three Falcons finished in double figures. Emily Conroe led all scorers with 22 points, Riley Snider added 18 and Kaelin Immel added 11. The Air Force offense put up 25 three-point attempts against the Ram's 2-3 zone, ten more three's than they usually attempt per game, connecting on eight of them for 32-percent. On average the Falcons shoot just 27-percent beyond the arc and average only four makes per game.
That perimeter shooting certainly had a lot to do with the confidence early on, but it was the rebounding numbers and turnover numbers that played the greatest factor in the win. The Falcons were dominant on the boards out rebounding the Rams 44-33 including 19 offensive rebounds. And they forced CSU into 17 turnovers which were then converted to 18 points.
Those second chance opportunities and turnovers turned into 15 more possessions for the Falcons than what Colorado State had. Air Force has gotten it done on the glass from an offensive rebounding standpoint. They currently rank No. 26 in the nation in offensive rebounds at 18 per game.
Colorado State was led by Lore Devos who finished with 16 points. Lena Svanholm added 10 as the only two Rams to reach double figures. They struggled offensively, especially beyond the arc finishing 1-10 from the three point line. They had a difficult time gaining any form of momentum offensively and connecting on just 10-percent of those shots certainly doesn't help. The Rams came into the contest shooting 31-percent from the three point line and making over six per game on average.
Up next, the Falcons hit the road to take on San Diego State this Saturday, January 12 at 2:00pm MT. Colorado State will look to bounce back as they face New Mexico that same day and time in Albuquerque
To follow along with the Mountain West Conference, it's easy! And you really should. All of their games are steamed live HERE.
