The Air Force Falcons opened the inaugural All-Military Classic by defeating the Army Black Knights, 87-71, on Friday night. Junior guard Michael Lyons led the Falcons with 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting and sinking 10-of-14 free throws. Lyons was also a force around the glass, pulling down nine rebounds (four offensive, five defensive).
However, the Falcons also played sloppy basketball to start the season. The team had 23 turnovers, including four each by Lyons and Taylor Stewart. Stewart and Todd Fletcher each dished the ball out for seven assists. Stewart and Fletcher scored 16 and 14 points, respectively. Chris Carter finished the night with nine points and seven steals (15 steals for the team).
Ella Ellis, Julian Simmons and Mo Williams scored 17, 16 ad 15 points, respectively, for Army. The Black Knights had 24 turnovers but 11 steals.
The Falcons will play the winner of VMI vs. Citadel on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. MT.
College basketball in Colorado kicks off its the regular season on Friday with two televised games. The Air Force Falcons, who went 16-16 and lost in the second round of the CIT Tournament, begin the season with a game against one of their fellow service academies, the Army Black Knights. This is part of the first All-Military Classic. that Air Force is hosting this year. The Citadel and the Virginia Military Institute will play after the Falcons and Black Knights finish things. Both Friday games will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Here is the complete All-Military Classic schedule:
Date
Game
Location
Time
11/11/2011
Air Force vs. Army
USAFA
7:30 p.m. MT
Citadel vs. VMI
USAFA
10:00 p.m. MT
11/12/2011
Third-Place Game
USAFA
6:30 p.m. MT
Championship Game
USAFA
8:30 p.m. MT
The Denver Pioneers also begin their season with a televised game against the Portland St. Vikings. Root Sports will televise the game from Magness Arena at 7:30 p.m. MT.
