Brittany Hernandez and Air Academy turned their defense into just enough offense to overcome a six-point deficit in the second half against Cheyenne Mountain.

Hernandez scored 10 of her team-high 13 points in the second half as the Pikes Peak No. 2 Kadets escaped with a 51-44 home victory.

Air Academy’s Kellyn Roiko drove past Cheyenne Mountain’s Amanda Weber during the third quarter Tuesday night. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE