Air Force Academy
San Diego State
No. 13 Falcons Hold Off Aztecs, 56-51
1/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2007
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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) -Jacob Burtschi scored 23 points and No. 13 Air Force held off a late San Diego State surge to win at home for the 26th straight time, 56-51 over the Aztecs on Saturday.
Air Force's leading scorer, Dan Nwaelele, finished with 11 points, including a shot that gave the Falcons back a lead with 45 seconds remaining that it wouldn't lose again.
Brandon Heath's desperation 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left was off the mark and Burtschi hit two free throws to put the game away.
"It felt good, but it came up short," Heath said. "At the same time, I want that shot again (at the end of a game)."
The Falcons (18-2, 5-1 Mountain West Conference) have now won 50 of their last 51 at Clune Arena. The 26 straight home wins is tied for the second-longest active streak in the country with Brigham Young. Gonzaga has won 47 straight at home.
San Diego State (13-6, 2-3) was led in scoring by Heath and Jerome Habel, who each had 15 points. Lorrenzo Wade finished with 11 points.
Heath became the school's all-time steals leader with three thefts against Air Force, passing Anthony Watson (1983-86). He now 193 career steals. Heath passed Michael Cage as the San Diego State's all-time leading scorer on Jan. 3.
The Falcons led by as many as five points with 3:35 remaining, but couldn't close out San Diego State. The Aztecs took a 51-50 on Habel's layup, but Nwaelele's fadeaway restored Air Force's lead for good.
"It was a pretty difficult shot," Nwaelele admitted. "I was falling out of bounds."
The Aztecs didn't take their first lead of the game until a long 3-pointer by Heath with 5:51 remaining. They led for a total of 43 seconds in the game.
The Falcons had their school-record tying 13-game win streak snapped by a 85-79 loss at Utah last Tuesday night. It was their first loss since Duke on Nov. 20.
However, the loss may have been the best thing for them.
"Some of the games we got complacent," Burtschi said. "It was a wake-up call. We responded well to that Utah loss."
Air Force's 23-17 halftime lead marked the first time the team has led at the break in four games. It was also a season-low for a half for the Aztecs.
San Diego State is now 1-41 in road games against nationally ranked teams.
San Diego State struggled early, taking nearly 8 minutes to hit its first basket. The Aztecs missed eight straight attempts and turned the ball over three times as they spotted Air Force an early 8-0 lead.
Longtime Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry was honored at halftime and given a two-minute standing ovation by the capacity crowd. DeBerry, who was sitting right behind the Falcons bench, retired on Dec. 15 after 23 years at the Air Force Academy. Troy Calhoun was named as DeBerry's successor on Dec. 22.
After the game, Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik invited DeBerry onto the court to take part in the singing of the alma mater.
"I have so much respect and admiration for him," Bzdelik said. "I wanted him to join us out there."
