Air Force Academy
Northern Colorado
Falcons Post First Road Win With 71-64 Victory over Northern Colorado
12/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2008
Andrew Henke scored a career-high 23 points and Anwar Johnson tied his career-best with 20 to lead Air Force past Northern Colorado, 71-64, Saturday night in a non-conference game in Greeley, Colo. Air Force improved to 6-2 this season with its first road win of the season, while Northern Colorado fell to 2-4.
Henke hit a three-pointer with 13:03 remaining to give the Falcons a 42-37 lead, then, after four straight UNC points, was fouled while making a three-pointer and the ensuing free throw put Air Force back up by five at 46-41. An 14-5 spurt by UNC, capped by a three-pointer by Devon Beitzel, put UNC up 55-51 with 5:47 remaining, but a three-pointer by Henke broke a 55-all tie at the 3:52 mark and the Falcons never trailed the rest of the way.
Air Force shot a season-best 63.9 percent (23-of-36) from the field, the best field-goal percentage since the Falcons shot 68.4 percent against Utah on Jan. 19, 2006, and the best on the road since a 66.7 percent performance at Texas-Pan American on Dec. 5, 2005. Air Force hit 70 percent (14-of-20) from the field in the second half and also shot 53.3 percent from three-point range for the game, including 5-of-7 from Henke.
Evan Washington added nine points and Grant Parker chipped in with eight points and a team-high five rebounds. Johnson and Washington each dished out four assists.
Northern Colorado stormed out to a 17-7 lead midway through the first half thanks to nine Air Force turnovers in the first 10 minutes. The Falcons then produced a 14-2 run, sparked by five points from Henke, to take a 21-19 advantage with 4:19 left in the half. The Bears closed the half with an 11-4 run and took a 30-25 halftime lead.
Northern Colorado was led by Jabril Banks, who had 16 points, but was held scoreless the last 6:43 of the contest. John Pena added 13 points and Beitzel finished with 12.
The Falcons return home to host Texas-Pan American on Saturday, Dec. 13 beginning at 3 p.m.
Air Force Post-Game Notes
-- Air Force tied its season-high for most points in a half with 46 in the second half
-- AFA attempted a season-high 28 free throws
-- Matt Holland tied his career-high by playing 36 minutes
-- Mike McLain tied his career-high with three points
-- Sammy Schafer played a career-high four minutes
-- Evan Washington tied his career-high with four assists and played a season-high 39 minutes
-- Grant Parker played a career-high 30 minutes
