AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (Interstat) — The Air Force Falcons used a dominant second-quarter run and a disruptive defense to pull away from the Manhattan Lady Jaspers for a 67-54 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Clune Arena.

In a game defined by ball security, or the lack thereof, Air Force forced 22 Manhattan turnovers, converting them into 16 points, while committing only 12 of their own. The Falcons also dished out 15 assists and recorded 15 steals, showcasing a cohesive and aggressive defensive effort that proved to be the difference.

The game was tightly contested through the first quarter, which ended in a 15-15 deadlock. The complexion of the contest changed dramatically in the second period. The Falcons outscored the Lady Jaspers 20-7, holding Manhattan to just seven points over the ten-minute span. That 13-point swing gave Air Force a 35-22 halftime lead, a cushion they would not relinquish.

Manhattan showed life after the break, mounting a 21-point third quarter to keep the game within reach. However, the Falcons answered with 17 points in the final period to secure the win and even their season record at 2-2. The Lady Jaspers remain winless at 0-4.

Milahnie Perry and Jordyn DeVaughn led the Air Force offensive attack, each scoring 17 points. Perry, a 5-foot-7 guard from Tampa, Florida, added four rebounds and three assists, while DeVaughn, a 5-6 guard from Little Elm, Texas, chipped in three rebounds. Jayda McNabb, a 5-10 sophomore from Rapid City, South Dakota, was a force on the glass, just missing a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

For Manhattan, Brianna Davis, a 5-8 guard from the Bronx, New York, led all scorers with 16 points, adding five rebounds and two assists. Agar Farres Garcia anchored the interior with a game-high 11 rebounds to go with nine points. Hana Mühl, a 5-8 guard from Zagreb, Croatia, facilitated the offense with eight assists.

From the field, Air Force shot 37 percent, connecting on 22 of 60 attempts, while Manhattan finished at 37 percent on 19-of-52 shooting. The Falcons held a slight edge from beyond the arc, making 8 of 28 three-pointers compared to Manhattan’s 6 of 19. Free throws were a struggle for both sides; Air Force made 15 of 24 and Manhattan converted 10 of 15.

The Falcons’ ball movement was superior, as evidenced by their 15 assists against just five for the Lady Jaspers. Air Force also dominated the points-off-turnovers category, 16-7, highlighting their ability to capitalize on Manhattan’s mistakes.

Attendance was announced at 644.