Women's Hoops Tops Air Force In Season Opener

BOX SCORE: Northern Colorado-Air Force 

The first regular season game found the Bears seeking redemption for last season's 53-56 loss to the Air Force Falcons. Northern Colorado found it with a 73-53 win over the Falcons at Clune Arena on Friday night.

The Falcons made it on the board first with a jumper in the paint that gave them the only lead they would have in the game and extended the lead to 3-0 with a free throw. Sophomore Courtney Stoermer tied up the game seconds later with a layup and free throw.

Half way through the first half the Bears put up 22 unanswered points putting the score at 37-9 with the Falcons not scoring for 11 minutes. 

Stoermer led the Bears in scoring in the first half recording 10 points with freshman Cassie Lambrecht right behind her with eight.

The Falcons were plagued with turnovers in the Bear dominated first half tallying 10 going into half time with the score at 43-20.

In the second half Air Force hoped to make up the 23 point deficit and scored first with a three-pointer from Raimee Beck.  The Falcons only came within 19 points in the second half.

This win marks the first time the Bears have beat the Falcons in a season opener putting the series record at 14-21 and also the first time head coach Jaime White has defeated the Falcons. It was also the first away season opener the team has won since facing Adams State on Nov. 23, 2002.

"I think overall our defense set the tone for the rest of the game along with the depth from the bench," said White.

The Bears leading scorer, Lambrecht, posted 13 points and three rebounds playing only 12 minutes in the game.

"Cassie came off the bench ready to go and really helped to give us the lead we needed," said White.

The team had two other players in double digit scoring in Stoermer and sophomore Kate Kevorken.

Throughout the night the Falcons struggled from the field marking a field goal percentage of 30.5 and a three-point percentage of 33.3 making only 22 of 71 shots.

 Leading the Falcons was Ramiee Beck who provided the Falcons with 18 points, 15 of which came from the second half. Beck also posted five rebounds and four steals.

Northern Colorado returns to Butler-Hancock on Tuesday Nov. 18 when they will face the Spartans of San Jose State at 7 p.m.