Air Force Academy
Western State
Falcons Defeat Western State, 65-54, in Season Opener
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2009
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) -- Air Force men's basketball coach Jeff Reynolds complimented his Falcons' effort following their season-opening 65-54 win over Western State Friday night.
Air Force out-rebounded the visiting Division II Mountaineers 43-29 and grabbed 17 offensive boards in the victory, its ninth consecutive home-opening win.
"If we can play with that effort all season long, I'll be happy," Reynolds said. "I thought our effort was unbelievably good and we had great energy."
Grant Parker had a career-high 26 points and Evan Washington added 14 as the Falcons (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West) won their seventh straight season opener and improved to 16-1 all-time against the Mountaineers, their neighbors from Gunnison, Colo.
"Offensively, I was pretty happy, and I'm glad that I was hitting some shots early, but defensively I think I need to step up," Parker said. "You always feel like you can play better."
Parker scored 18 of his career-high mark in the first half, including a 3-pointer in the final seconds to give the Falcons a 38-27 halftime lead. Parker was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, 3-of-3 from 3-point range, in the opening half.
Air Force never trailed, but 7-of-27 shooting in the second half allowed Western State (0-1) back into the game. The Mountaineers tied the game twice in the second half, the last time at 50-50 with 4:34 remaining, before the Falcons closed with a 10-2 run to seal the victory.
"We talked about wanting to come out in the second half and blow them out, but we ended up doing the opposite," Parker said. "They hung in there, and we weren't playing our game. At the end, we were playing for every possession, and both teams wanted it."
Reynolds made a defensive change after a media timeout at the 3:39 mark that stifled the Mountaineers' offense.
"We were switching our ball screens, and I wish I had done it sooner," Reynolds said.
Sophomore guard Weylan Towns led the Mountaineers (0-1) with 17 points, while Tyler Miller contributed 10.
Air Force is looking to replace its three leading scorers from a year ago, and Reynolds said that Parker and Washington are going to need some help.
"We've got to find two more guys who can score," Reynolds said. "Michael Lyons is going to be a really good player, but he has to understand that, at this level, you can't be casual about anything."
Reynolds played Lyons, who had seven points, and two other freshmen in the game. Lyons' 28 minutes played was third only to Washington (37) and Parker (32).
Reynolds also saw room for improvement for his Falcons, who hit just 18-of-32 of their foul shots.
"We've got to make more open shots, and we've got to make free throws," Reynolds said. "We need to be more consistent with our offense. Tonight, it didn't have much flow to it."
