Dec. 22, 2004

Box Score

(Colorado Springs, CO) - San Diego evened its season record to 5-5 by defeating Mountain West Conference member Air Force 80-78 in overtime Wednesday afternoon. Returning to her hometown of Colorado Springs, USD junior guard Tiara Harris scored 16 points and cleared seven rebounds for the Toreros. Despite playing just 13 minutes off the bench due to a back injury, USD freshman standout Amber Sprague scored 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the floor. Air Force (3-7) trailed throughout but rallied to force overtime on its home floor.

San Diego scored the first nine points of the game and matched its biggest lead of 12 points at 36-24 with 5:27 remaining after a pair of free throws by reserve guard Ashley Voisinet. Collectively, USD was 10-for-10 from the line in the first half and 28-of-33 (84%) for the game. Harris scored 12 of her 16 points in the opening period to give the Toreros a 45-37 advantage at the break.

The Toreros again assumed a 12-point lead in the early stages of the second half behind consecutive baskets from Sprague. Freshman forward Alecia Steele allowed Air Force to methodically cut into the USD advantage, scoring 13 of her game-high 17 points in the second half. The Falcons pulled within two at 59-57 with 7:52 remaining on a 3-point basket by freshman Pamela Findlay. Continuing to play from behind Air Force would keep it close, closing the gap to 71-70 with 1:04 left in regulation on a 3-pointer from Letricia Castillo.

San Diego would never relinquish the lead, but up 72-70 with :35 seconds remaining a foul on USD guard Polly Dong put Falcon senior forward Jennifer Roesch on the line for a pair of free throws. Roesch tied the game, and following a USD turnover on the ensuing possession, Air Force had a chance to win on a last second jump shot that was missed by freshman Lauren Henderson.

USD sophomore center Sabine Loewe opened up the overtime session with two of her 16 points and San Diego hit 4-of-5 free throws in the extra period to escape with the win.