AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (Interstat) — Nat Martinez scored 22 points and San Diego State used a dominant second-half surge to pull away from Air Force for a 74-57 victory in a Mountain West Conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Clune Arena.

The Aztecs, who entered the contest having won 10 of their last 11 games, improved to 25-4 overall and solidified their position atop the conference standings. The Falcons fell to 13-17.

The game was a tight, physical affair for the first 20 minutes. Air Force, led by the dynamic scoring of Milahnie Perry, managed to take a 14-12 lead after the first quarter. Perry, who finished with a game-high 26 points, was aggressive from the opening tip, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. San Diego State struggled to find an early rhythm, committing several turnovers against the Falcons’ defensive pressure.

The Aztecs began to settle in during the second quarter, outscoring Air Force 17-9 to take a 29-23 lead into halftime. The period was defined by defensive stops and a key contribution off the bench from Kaelyn Hamilton, whose driving layup in the final minute extended the lead. The Falcons’ offense grew stagnant, managing just nine points in the quarter as their shooting went cold.

The most important stretch of the game came immediately after halftime, when San Diego State decisively seized control. The Aztecs opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run, transforming a six-point advantage into a commanding 41-25 lead. The run was fueled by the backcourt tandem of Martinez and Nala Williams. Martinez, a 5-foot-7 guard from San Leandro, California, knocked down a pair of three-pointers during the surge, while Williams, who tallied 13 points and six assists, orchestrated the offense with precision.

Air Force could not recover from the blow. Every time the Falcons showed a sign of life, San Diego State had an answer, often from Martinez or fellow guard Naomi Panganiban, who added 15 points. The Aztecs scored 22 points in the third quarter and 23 in the fourth, their offensive execution sharpening as the game progressed. Their defense also tightened, limiting Air Force’s second-chance opportunities and forcing 18 turnovers, which they converted into key transition baskets.

While Perry’s scoring kept Air Force within distant reach, the Falcons lacked a consistent secondary option until late. Emily Adams finished with 17 points, but much of her production came in the first and fourth quarters. The Aztecs’ interior defense, led by Bailey Barnhard’s two blocks, made scoring in the paint difficult for long stretches.

San Diego State’s depth and balance proved overwhelming. In addition to the scoring of Martinez, Panganiban, and Williams, Barnhard contributed eight points and Hamilton added six off the bench. The Aztecs shared the ball effectively, assisting on 18 of their 28 made field goals.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for San Diego State, which defeated Air Force 62-51 on Dec. 31. It also continued a remarkable run of consistency for the Aztecs, who have not lost consecutive games all season.

For Air Force, the loss concluded a challenging regular season. Perry’s performance was a bright spot, as the 5-foot-7 guard from Tampa, Florida, also dished out four assists. Jayda McNabb facilitated the offense with five assists but was held to six points on the night.

The announced attendance at the 5,858-seat Clune Arena was 923.

Both teams now turn their attention to the upcoming Mountain West Conference tournament, where San Diego State will look to cement its NCAA tournament credentials and Air Force will aim to make an unexpected run.