Joyce Rallies Air Force Past San José State In Double Overtime Thriller

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. — Chris Joyce's three-point basket with five seconds left in the second overtime rallied Air Force to a wild 73-71 win at San José State Saturday night at the Event Center. The Falcons have won four of its last five and have improved to 9-11, 4-4 on the season.

In a wild see-saw battle that saw five lead changes and eight ties, it was Air Force that pulled out the win. San Jose State (3-16, 0-6) took a 71-70 lead on a layup by Seneca Knight with 26 records left. After a missed free throw, the Falcons were able to get the rebound and call a time out. That set up the late-game heroics for Air Force. With the clock running down, Sid Tomes found Joyce on the right side and the junior was able to sink the three. The Spartans then missed a half court shot to end the game and the Falcons came away with its first road win of the season.

It was also Air Force's second-straight game rallying from double-digits. The Falcons trailed by as many as many as 15 points in the first half. The comeback began with a 14-0 run, 11 of which came at the start of the second half, to pull the Falcons to within one point at 31-30 just three minutes into the second half.

The Falcons finally wrestled away the lead from SJSU with a three by Caleb Morris at the 7:57 mark, going up 44-41. The Falcons built their lead to five point leads twice but could not maintain it in regulation. The Falcons seemed to have the game won in regulation up three, but Brae Ivey hit a game-tying three with 0.1 left of the clock to send the game into overtime at 56-56.

The teams remained tied after the first overtime at 65-65. The Falcons were down by as many as five points in the first overtime before rallying back.

In the second overtime, the Falcons got up four before the Spartans came back with a 5-0 run to go up 71-70. Joyce then came through in the clutch to lift Air Force to the win.

Four Falcons reached double figures in scoring. Lavelle Scottie and AJ Walker scored 14 points each. Caleb Morris and Ryan Swan added 12 points each.

Scottie finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, reaching double figures for the 14th straight game. Walker had 14 points and four assists. Swan recorded his third double-double of the season with 12 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Morris connected on four three's for his 12 points, adding a career-high eight rebounds.

Joyce added nine points and four rebounds. Sid Tomes chipped in with seven points and four assists.

Michael Steadman led San Jose State with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ivey added 18 points, making four three's. Noah Baumann scored 12 points.

With San Jose State packing it in with a tight zone, Air Force set a school record with 47 three point attempts. The previous record was 41, set just last year against the Spartans.

Air Force returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 30 at San Diego State. Tip time, at Viejas Arena in San Diego is 7 pm PT. The game will be broadcast by STADIUM.

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