Air Force Academy
Northern Illinois
Falcons Defeat Northern Illinois, 67-55
12/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2008
Matt Holland scored 21 points and Anwar Johnson added 19 to lead Air Force past Northern Illinois, 67-55, Wednesday night in a non-conference game at Clune Arena. Air Force improved to 5-2 this season, including a 5-1 mark at home. Northern Illinois falls to 3-5.
Holland, who was 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range, scored five points in an 11-2 Air Force run giving the Falcons their biggest lead, 62-46, with 4:51 remaining in the game. The Falcons hit five of seven free throws from that point to hold off NIU and post their second straight win.
Air Force hit 47.8 percent from the field, including a seven-of-14 performance from three-point range and out-rebounded Northern Illinois 34-30. Air Force also had 18 assists on its 22 field goals. Northern Illinois was held to just 36.4 percent shooting, including a 29.6 clip in the first half.
Andrew Henke added 14 points and six rebounds while Evan Washington chipped in with seven points and a career-high-tying eight rebounds. Grant Parker contributed a team-high nine rebounds, also tying his career-best, including four offensive boards.
Air Force took control of the game in the first half with a 21-6 run to take a 21-11 lead. NIU battled back to cut the lead to seven at the half, 29-22. The Huskies got as close as three points, 41-38, midway through the second half before Air Force build the lead back to nine points before the game-changing 11-2 run.
Northern Illinois was led by Darion Anderson and Mike Dinunno, who had 15 points each. Sean Kowal added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Falcons travel to Greeley, Colo., for a game against Northern Colorado on Saturday, Dec. 3 beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Air Force Post-Game Notes
-- Senior Matt Holland is shooting 69.8 percent (30-of-43) from the field his last five games
-- Holland is shooting 64 percent (16-of-25) from three-point range his last five games
-- Holland played a career-high 36 minutes
-- Freshman Trevor Noonan grabbed a career-high four rebounds
-- Junior Grant Parker tied his career-high with nine rebounds
-- Sophomore Evan Washington tied his career-highs of eight rebounds and four assists
-- Freshman Taylor Stewart dished out a career-high three assists
