Falcons Drop MWC Opener to San Diego State, 61-44

Jan. 3, 2009

D.J. Gay scored 15 points to lead San Diego State past Air Force, 61-44, Saturday night at Clune Arena in the Mountain West Conference opener for both schools. San Diego State improved to 11-3 overall and 1-0 in the MWC, while Air Force fell to 9-5 and 0-1 in conference play.

Gay hit a pair of three-pointers on consecutive possessions to key a 9-0 run midway through the second half to give San Diego State a 45-36 lead with 8:44 remaining. The Falcons had opened the second half on a 10-5 run to tie the score at 36 prior to the run.

San Diego State's defense and rebounding took over the game from that point. The Aztecs held Air Force to just one field goal over the last 8:16 of the game, while hitting six of nine free throws from that point. San Diego State grabbed the offensive rebound on each of the misses and scored on two of the possessions.

The Aztecs finished the game out-rebounding Air Force, 40-27. SDSU grabbed 13 offensive rebounds while holding Air Force to just 32.0 percent shooting in the game, including a 23.1 clip in the second half. The Aztecs hit 45.7 percent in the game, including a 54.2 clip in the first half as they built a 31-26 halftime lead.

Lorrenzo Wade came off the bench to added 12 points and 11 rebounds while Tim Shelton chipped in with eight points and 11 rebounds for San Diego State.

Air Force was led by Matt Holland, who was the only Falcon in double figures, with 17 points. Grant Parker added nine points and Anwar Johnson chipped in with six points and six rebounds.

The Falcons travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to take on New Mexico on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

AIR FORCE POST-GAME NOTES
-- Air Force is now 6-23 all-time in conference openers and 4-6 in MWC openers
-- Air Force lost its first home conference opener since the 2002-03 season (63-48 to SDSU, 1/11/03)
-- SDSU's 45.7 percent shooting from the field was the highest allowed by Air Force this season
-- Air Force's seven assists were the second-lowest in one game this season (six vs. Portland)
-- Air Force's six turnovers were the lowest in one game this season
-- Anwar Johnson tied his season-high with six rebounds
-- Grant Parker attempted a career-high 10 shots
-- Matt Holland attempted his 150th career three-point shot and is now No. 4 on the school's career three-point percentage list at 42 percent (63-150)
-- Avery Merriex played a career-high 21 minutes
-- Jon Atkins tied his career-high with two rebounds
-- Mike McLain tied his career-high with five rebounds

QUOTES
Air Force Head Coach Jeff Reynolds:
"They play awfully good defense. We knew that going in. We got some layups early in the second half and tied the score, but then had too many possessions without any points. Against a team as athletic as they are, you can't do that and expect to win."

"(San Diego State) averages 31 missed shots a game and they missed that tonight. They average 13 offensive rebounds a game and got that tonight. We talked about that and knew that if they do that, we'll have a tough time winning the game."

"The tough thing for us is that we've lost a couple here in a row at home. I was happy with our effort. I thought we had some of the same looks tonight that we've had earlier in the year, but they didn't go in. Player for player, (San Diego State) may be the most talented team in our league."

Air Force Senior Forward Matt Holland:
"We had some offensive droughts tonight, but I think it's the same thing for us. We just got beat on the boards and that was the difference in the game."

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