The U.S. Air Force Academy’s women’s basketball team listening to a coach in an undated photo from the 2024 season. (U.S. Air Force Academy)
(Tribune News Service) — A big night for Jayda McNabb and a resilient mindset helped Air Force beat UC San Diego 67-64 in a thrilling overtime game on Friday night at Clune Arena.
While the Falcons led by 14 points in the third quarter, the Tritons managed to cut down Air Force’s lead to just one point with a minute left. Despite a pair of made free throws by Milahnie Perry, a personal foul on senior Madison Smith brought UC San Diego back to the free throw line to tie it at 60, forcing overtime.
After struggling to score, a second chance layup by McNabb gave the Falcons a one point lead with less than two minutes remaining. Keeping the Tritons from scoring for the rest of overtime, Air Force won on a set of free throws by junior Milahnie Perry.
“While it wasn’t one of our better defensive nights, it was a tough matchup,” coach Stacy McIntyre said. “That screen action up top we didn’t handle well but when it came time to get a stop we did. It was a tough fourth quarter but when you have a work ethic like they do ... overall it was a great effort by everyone.”
McNabb had a double-double with a career-high 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals with 38 minutes of play. Smith and Perry also had good nights, posting 12 and 15 points, respectively. Smith had seven rebounds.
The Falcons shot 15 for 21 at the free throw line off 19 UC San Diego personal fouls. However, they shot 33.8% (23 of 68) from the field to the Triton’s 46% (28 of 50).
Air Force started the game hot with an early 8-0 run less than three minutes into the game. Out of the first time out, however, UC San Diego began to respond, going back-and-forth with the Falcons for four ties and two lead changes in the first quarter.
Air Force maintained the lead for most of the half with the Falcons capitalizing on 12 Triton turnovers. Senior Jo Huntimer had four steals and two assists in the first half to help the ball stay in Air Forces hands, and had six points and three rebounds. After scoring zero points in the first quarter, Jayda McNabb contributed eight in the second quarter to boost their lead.
Tied 35 each in the final seconds, an electric 3-pointer from senior Madison Smith at the buzzer sent Clune Arena into a frenzy as the Falcon’s took the lead 38-35 into the half.
Air Force heads to Puerto Rico next for the Puerto Rico Clasico where they will face Milwaukee on Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m. MT.
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