Jan. 22, 2000
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State freshman Jamey Cox led all scorers with 25 points, including five three-pointers but it wasn't enough to lift the Aztecs past Air Force, as the Falcons snapped a 38-game conference losing streak with a 77-72 victory over SDSU.
Rozalyn Russ finished with 21 points to lead the Academy (4-12, 1-2 Mtn. West).
San Diego State (5-12, 0-4 Mtn. West) roared back from a 14-point second half deficit, and trailed by 71-70 with 1:02 to play. But Air Force, which shot a season-best .815 from the foul line, canned 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.
Air Force shot 50 percent from the field, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in the first half, but managed just a 37-32 lead at the break, despite twice leading by as many as 13 points. SDSU, which shot just 34 percent in the opening period, closed the half with a 10-2 run in the last three minutes.
Senior Mary Apiafi had 12 points and a game high 14 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season before fouling out with 2:03 remaining in the game. Atim Otii, who also fouled out, finished with 11 points, while freshman Kacee Wheeler tied a career-high with 13.
The Aztecs, who finished a brutal stretch of five games in 10 games at Air Force, now have a week off before returning to the hardwood on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Cox Arena versus UNLV. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.