Air Force Academy
Western State (Colo.)
Falcons Win Season Opener, 70-64
11/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2008
Senior Andrew Henke scored 18 points to lead Air Force past Western State (Colo.), 70-64, Friday night in a non-conference men's basketball game at Clune Arena.
Henke scored six of the team's final 12 points, had an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and handed out an assist as Air Force held on for its sixth consecutive season-opening victory. Henke's three-pointer with 3:23 remaining broke a 58-58 tie and gave the Falcons the lead for good. Senior Anwar Johnson and junior Avery Merriex each hit a pair of free throws in the final 35 seconds to secure the victory.
Johnson finished with 13 points, freshman Taylor Stewart chipped in with 10 points in his first-career collegiate game and Merriex added career-highs of nine points and three rebounds. Sophomore Evan Washington added six points, a game- and career-high eight rebounds and a team-best four assists. The Falcons finished the game hitting 49 percent on 25 of 51 shooting, including a 53.3 clip from three-point range (8-15).
Western State was led by Justin Avalos, who scored 20 points. Cameron Burney added 18, Jeremy Brooks 13 and Brandon Gentry 10. Western State hit just 36.8 percent from the field, but hit 15 of 35 three-pointers (42.9 percent). WSC also out-rebounded Air Force, 37-32.
The game featured nine lead changes and four ties and the biggest lead in the second half was Air Force's final margin. Western State opened the game with a 15-5 spurt, before Air Force took control with its defense to spark a 20-0 run over 7:30 to take its biggest lead of the game, 25-15, with 5:15 left in the first half. Western State bounced back and closed the gap to 31-29 at halftime.
The Falcons stay at home to face Cal. State Bakersfield on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.
Air Force Game Notes
-- Junior Avery Merriex posted career-highs of nine points and three rebounds
-- Sophomore Evan Washington had career-highs of eight rebounds and four assists
-- Air Force won its sixth straight season-opening game
-- Senior Andrew Henke and junior Mike McLain each started the first game of his career
-- McLain dished out a career-high three assists
-- Head coach Jeff Reynolds won the 99th game of his career
