Army closed out the game with a 17-2 run and rallied to a 54-44 win over Air Force in service academy women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at Clune Arena. The loss dropped the Falcons to 1-4 on the season, while the Black Knights improved to 2-4.

After trailing for much of the second-half, Air Force pulled ahead of Army 42-37 with a three-point basket by Kim Kreke with 4:23 to go. Army then went on a 15-0 run to jump ahead 53-42 and pull away for good.

The Black Knights defense scored 22 points off 23 Air Force turnovers and got to the free-throw line 21 times, making 14. Air Force never really got in synch offensively, shooting 34.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three-point range.

Alex McGuire led Army with 16 points, including four three-point baskets. Erin Anthony added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Knights.

Kreke led Air Force with 15 points and 11 rebounds. It was Kreke’s second double-double of the season and her fifth-consecutive game with at least 11 boards. Brooke Cultra added eight points and six rebounds to go with a team-high three assists.

Raimee Beck also chipped in with seven points and eight rebounds and Kathleen Schjodt sparked the Falcons with five points and three rebounds off the bench.

The first-half was a see-saw battle with Army taking a 24-22 lead into the half. Army steadily held the lead throughout the second-half before Air Force made their move with seven minutes remaining.

The Falcons took their first lead of the second period, 37-35, on a pair of free throw shots by Beck with 6:11 to play. With the score knotted at 37-37, Air Force seemed to pull away as Kreke scored five consecutive points, concluding with the three-point basket.

It was not to be for the Falcons however, as Army then came back with the big rally and eventually the win.