Air Force Eliminated By Fresno State at MW Championships

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Air Force men's basketball fell to Fresno State, 76-50, in quarterfinal action Thursday night at the 2019 Air Force Reserves Mountain West Men's Basketball Championships at Thomas & Mack Center. The Falcons conclude the season after going 1-1 at the tournament.

Fresno State (23-8), seeded third, took control of the game in the first half with a 16-0 run. Air Force, the six seed, held a 13-6 lead four minutes into the game before the Bulldogs went on their run. The cold spell allowed Fresno State to go up 22-13 with 9:30 to go in the first half.

Air Force went into the half trailing 43-26.

The Falcons got the game down to 11 points early in the second half, but a 13-0 run by Fresno State quelched the rally. The big runs were too big a hurdle to overcome for the Falcons. Air Force also struggled to hold on the ball, committing 18 turnovers against a stingy Bulldog defense.

Lavelle Scottie led the Falcons with 13 points, adding five rebounds. The junior caps the season with 1,045 career points, ranking 22nd all-time at Air Force.

Caleb Morris added 10 points and two assists. Morris was 3 of 5 from the field and 2 of 4 from three point range. Ryan Swan added eight points and five rebounds.

Ameka Akaya came off the bench to score six points. Chris Joyce scored five points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. AJ Walker scored five points and had four rebounds and three assists. Sid Tomes also had three assists.

Deshon Taylor led Fresno State with 18 points. Taylor made four of the Bulldogs' 16 three's on the night.

Air Force caps the 2018-19 season with a 14-18 record. The team graduates one senior in guard Pervis Louder.

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