
Air Force Pulls Out 79-75 Win At Denver
12/14/2019 4:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The three road wins is the earliest by the Falcons since 1982.
DENVER, Colo. - Air Force men's basketball won at Denver, 79-75, Saturday at Magness Arena. The Falcons held off a second-half rally by the Pioneers to secure its third true road win of the season, the earliest it has done so since 1982.
Bolstered by 10 three's in the first half, Air Force jumped out to a 45-31 lead at the half. The Falcons had 10 consecutive three's for its scoring during that first half. During that run, the Falcons made 8 of 9 three's at one point, including five in a row. The Falcons finished the day with 13 three's.
The Falcons went up by as many as 17 early in the second half before Denver rallied back to tie the game at 58-58 with 8:19 to play.
After a timeout by head coach Dave Pilipovich, the Falcons regrouped and re-took control of the game with a 9-0 run immediately after. Junior Keaton Van Soelen keyed the run with six points, including several timely offensive rebounds and four free throws.
Denver kept it close and got to within two points with six seconds to play on a three, but sophomore AJ Walker calmly cemented the win with a pair of free throws after a foul on the ensuing inbounds play.
Walker led Air Force with 19 points and tied a career-high with seven rebounds. Van Soelen had season-high's of 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Lavelle Scottie scored 17 and Ryan Swan, who played his high school ball at Overland High School in Aurora, added 16. Chris Joyce returned from injury and scored nine points off three three's.
The Falcons extended its winning streak against Denver to three games.
Air Force returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 17 hosting Johnson & Wales. Tip time is 7 pm MT.
Bolstered by 10 three's in the first half, Air Force jumped out to a 45-31 lead at the half. The Falcons had 10 consecutive three's for its scoring during that first half. During that run, the Falcons made 8 of 9 three's at one point, including five in a row. The Falcons finished the day with 13 three's.
The Falcons went up by as many as 17 early in the second half before Denver rallied back to tie the game at 58-58 with 8:19 to play.
After a timeout by head coach Dave Pilipovich, the Falcons regrouped and re-took control of the game with a 9-0 run immediately after. Junior Keaton Van Soelen keyed the run with six points, including several timely offensive rebounds and four free throws.
Denver kept it close and got to within two points with six seconds to play on a three, but sophomore AJ Walker calmly cemented the win with a pair of free throws after a foul on the ensuing inbounds play.
Walker led Air Force with 19 points and tied a career-high with seven rebounds. Van Soelen had season-high's of 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Lavelle Scottie scored 17 and Ryan Swan, who played his high school ball at Overland High School in Aurora, added 16. Chris Joyce returned from injury and scored nine points off three three's.
The Falcons extended its winning streak against Denver to three games.
Air Force returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 17 hosting Johnson & Wales. Tip time is 7 pm MT.
Team Stats
USAFA
Denver
FG%
.463
.492
3FG%
.481
.500
FT%
.762
.750
RB
34
30
TO
13
11
STL
3
3
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
2006-07 Men's Basketball Team - Jeff Bzdelik AF Athletic Hall of Fame Induction video
Monday, September 29
Jeff Bzdelik - Hall of Fame SPEECH
Monday, September 29
2006-07 Men's Basketball Team - AF Athletic Hall of Fame Induction video
Monday, September 29
2025 Graduation Recap
Monday, June 02