Air Force Academy
Western State (Colo.)
Air Force Downs Western State, 65-37
11/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2011
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) - For Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds, Friday night was a chance to see his entire roster in action.
The Falcons hit 10 3-pointers and held Western State to 31.3 percent shooting in a 65-37 win at Clune Arena. All 16 of Air Force's players got into the game against the Division II Mountaineers, with 11 seeing at least 10 minutes.
Freshman Kamryn Williams was 4-for-4 in leading the Falcons (3-0) with a career-high 10 points against Western State (1-2). Williams has yet to miss a 3-pointer (4-for-4) in an Air Force uniform after connecting on two against Western State .
"It felt good (out there), and I wasn't as nervous as I was the first game," said Williams, who played high school basketball at nearby Sierra High School . "We have good chemistry, and if coach keeps letting us play as freshmen, we're going to get some good experience."
Air Force won for the 17th consecutive time in the series between the state rivals and got baskets from 14 different players. It was the fewest points the Falcons have allowed since holding TCU to 36 points on March 5, 2008 .
"Any time you get the chance to play 11 guys in double minutes, that's a great opportunity for those guys to get their feet wet," Reynolds said. "I thought we shot the ball well in the first half, and defensively we were tuned in early in the second half. I think every game we're getting better, and it's a work in progress."
Mike Fitzgerald added eight points for Air Force, while Taylor Broekhuis had a career-high five assists from his center position and reserve guard Shawn Hempsey pulled down a career-best five rebounds.
Travis Shepherd led Western State with 10 points.
Air Force turned a double-digit lead into a rout thanks to a 13-0 run at the end of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. Western State was just 5-of-22 from 3-point range, 2-of-10 from the free-throw line and committed 18 turnovers.
The Falcons, who attempted 35 3-pointers, had just eight turnovers against 18 assists. All seven of Air Force's freshmen played, totaling 70 minutes and 27 points.
Air Force held the Mountaineers to 34.8 percent shooting in the first half and took a 34-19 lead into the locker room.
The Falcons will need to switch gears dramatically and step up their game for their next opponent, in-state rival Colorado , which they host Nov. 23. Air Force has not defeated the Buffaloes (1-2) since 2006.
"We've just got to continue to improve offensively," Reynolds said. "The first thing we have to work on is transition defense, because (Colorado is) a very good transition team and a very good offensive rebounding team."
