Air Force trips up Lady Rebels

Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Air Force's Shawna Neff scored off a layup in traffic with 11 seconds left to give the Falcons a 73-72 Mountain West Conference victory over UNLV on Thursday night at Clune Arena.

UNLV led by as many as 12 points in the first half thanks to 64 percent shooting, but went cold in the second half, dropping to 50 percent (17-34) from the floor. Air Force shot 56 percent (15-27).

The Lady Rebels managed a 12-2 run midway through the half before the Falcons battled back. Neff, who scored 17 points, hit a jumper with 1:53 to go to tie the game at 71.

Contance Jinks led UNLV with 22 points while Sherry McCracklin registered her third career double-double with 20 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. InFini Robinson added 11 points off the bench, going a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the three-point line.

Air Force (7-10, 1-3 MWC) captured only its second win in 13 all-time meetings against UNLV. It was also just the Falcons' second league win since the Mountain West's formation in 1999.

In addition to Neff, the Falcons also received strong efforts from Jennifer Roesch, who also scored 17 points, and Emily Gross, who finished with 11.

UNLV (11-6, 2-2 MWC) continues its conference road swing this weekend, traveling to Albuquerque to take on league rival New Mexico on Saturday at 6 p.m.