On a day that was all about the youngsters, Air Force unleashed one of its own in a late-season stunner.

Freshman Eva Love hit the go-ahead basket that allowed the Falcons to complete an 11-point fourth-quarter comeback, then scored five of her nine points in overtime in a 69-61 victory over Wyoming on Wednesday at Clune Arena.

It was just Air Force’s fifth win in 69 meetings with the Cowgirls and snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series. The Falcons (13-15, 7-11 Mountain West) moved past Wyoming (9-18, 6-12) and into eighth place in the conference. They can still climb as high as sixth in the 12-team league with two games remaining in the regular season.

But for all the big-picture on-court implications, Love’s arrival after off-the-court hardship was easily the story of the day.

“I think so,” Love said when asked if this is the kind of performance she envisioned in her freshman season after leading the prep school in scoring in an undefeated season a year ago. “I thought it was going to be a lot earlier.

“For it to be so late, it was hard, but there’s always a purpose behind everything.”

Air Force freshman Eva Love drives against Wyoming on Wednesday at Clune Arena. (Photo courtesy of Air Force Athletics)

Love was diagnosed with a heart condition in September. From that point until mid-January her physical activity was limited to walking.

“It was definitely difficult, but I was just like, if I come to practice and be the loudest person on the sideline, that’s what I can do,” the Albuquerque native said.

“I didn’t think I was going to touch the court this year, so to just have the opportunity means the world to me.”

Love had played 24 minutes this season prior to logging nearly 29 minutes Wednesday. In her time on the floor the Falcons outscored Wyoming by 22 points. The 5-foot-9 guard hit 4-of-9 shots, and grabbed three rebounds and three steals.

She turned a steal in the fourth quarter into a layup that put the Falcons in front 55-54 with 3:14 remaining after they had trailed for all but two minutes.  

Fellow freshman Bhret Clay then hit a 3-pointer at the start of overtime, and Love scored the next five points.

As more than 1,000 elementary students on hand for a “Field Trip” day screamed along with Queen Elsa from “Frozen” during a late timeout, Love’s play allowed the Falcons to “turn away and slam the door.”

“It’s a pleasant surprise. I’m sure it was for Wyoming, too,” Air Force coach Stacy McIntyre said. “You always feel a certain kind of way when a kid that’s not on your scouting report burns you.”

The Falcons also had 18 points and seven rebounds from senior Emily Adams, who scored 10 gritty points during the fourth quarter. Jordyn DeVaughn scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half, keeping the Falcons afloat. Jayda McNabb filled the stat sheet in her typical style with nine points, three steals, two blocked shots and team-bests eight rebounds and five assists.

Milahnie Perry scored nine points, pulling her to within seven points of No. 2 on the program’s all-time scoring list and 43 from the top spot.

But more than anything, Wednesday represented the unleashing of a talent Air Force has had to keep under close watch for serious medical needs.

Love said she never considered giving up sport, saying she loves basketball and wanted to play for the Air Force coaches with these new teammates.

Her breakout game changed Wednesday’s game and added a surprise jolt late in the season.

“I mean, she just had a phenomenal game,” McIntyre said. “That’s kind of what Air Force basketball is. She represents it very well just with how hard she plays. I always say there are two kind of players, there are ones who play and ones who compete. She definitely competes.

“She’s fearless. We have to have people like her on the floor.”