The Air Force Falcons (11-6, 1-2 MWC) could not beat the odds on Saturday night, falling prey to the San Diego St. Aztecs (16-2, 3-0 MWC) and their stingy defense.
The Falcons entered the game hoping for an upset, but the Aztecs' defense proved too stingy as the Falcons fell 44-57. Despite keeping the game relatively close, the Air Force basketball team led only 41 seconds, falling behind 1-2 when the Aztecs landed their first points in the first half.
G Jamaal Franklin (14 pts, 10 reb), G Chase Tapley (16 pts, 3 reb) and F Tim Shelton (6 pts, 6 reb) kept the Falcons off-balanced both on offense and defense. Not only did the Aztecs offense muster a .450 field goal percentage to the Falcons' .347, but they also snatched 31 rebounds to the Falcons' 23.
The trio of G/F Mike Fitzgerald (14 pts, 3 reb), C Taylor Broekhuis (16 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) and G Michael Lyons (4 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) led the Falcons' side of the game, but the team's inability to snatch rebounds -- and it's putrid 1 for 18 on three-point attempts -- sealed their fate.
The Air Force Falcons basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday, visiting the TCU Horned Frogs at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
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