Air Force Drops Veteran’s Day Opener vs. South Dakota

Team	1	2	F
Air Force	22	31	53
South Dakota	32	27	59

Air Force

South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Air Force men's basketball opened the 2021-22 season with a 59-53 setback against South Dakota on Veteran's Day Thursday afternoon at the Sanford Pentagon.

The Falcons nearly erased a 15-point deficit with a late-game charge. The Falcons pulled to within two points with 18 seconds left in the game. The Coyotes were able to hold off the late charge by making four free throws to close out the game.

Air Force trailed 41-26 with 16:29 to play before out-scoring South Dakota 27-18.

Air Force and South Dakota battled back-and-forth for much of the half until the Coyotes pulled away late. The Falcons had a 14-13 lead with five minutes to go, before South Dakota closed out the half on a 19-8 run to take control of the game with a 32-22 lead at the half.

Guards Ethan Taylor and AJ Walker led Air Force with 14 points each. Taylor added eight rebounds in his collegiate debut. Walker played a big part in the late rally, scoring 11 second half points.

Freshman Lucas Moerman also nearly reached a double-double, scoring nine points and pulling down nine rebounds in his collegiate debut. Air Force started three freshmen on the day with Taylor, Moerman and Jake Heidbreder making the start in their debuts.

Air Force's top scorer off the bench was junior Nikc Jackson. Jackson scored six points, adding two rebounds. Junior Camden Vander Zwaag added two blocked shots and three rebounds.

Air Force caps its opening road swing Saturday, Nov. 13 at Tulsa. Tip time is noon central and the game will be on ESPN+.

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