Big Second-Half Lifts Air Force Past Idaho State, 59-48

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's basketball rallied to a 59-48 win over Idaho State Saturday afternoon at Clune Arena. The Falcons won their sixth in a row for the first time since 2007 and improved to 6-1 for its best start since 2012.

Air Force trailed 24-21 at the half after a sluggish opening half of play. The Falcons committed 10 turnovers in the first-half, allowing the Bengals to have a 15-7 advantage on points off turnovers.

Air Force came storming out the gates to start the second half with a 12-0 run to jump ahead 33-24. Idaho State went ice cold from the field, not getting its first field goal in the second half until the 9:55 mark.

Senior guard AJ Walker led the Falcons with 19 points on an efficient shooting night of 8 of 10 from the field. Walker was also 3 of 3 from three-point range. Sophomore guard Joseph Octave also joined Walker in double-figures with 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting.

Freshman guard Jake Heidbreder added eight points and two steals. Heidbreder hit back-to-back three's to open the second half scoring to put Air Force ahead for good. Junior forward Nikc Jackson led the reserves with seven points and three rebounds. Freshman guard Ethan Taylor led Air Force with six rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Falcons shot a season-best 54.5 percent from the field and tied a season-high with 11 steals. The Falcons out-rebounded the Bengals 29-21 and held a 32-10 advantage in points in the paint.

The Falcons held Idaho State (1-5) to 29.3 percent shooting on the night. Guard Robert Ford III led the Bengals with 19 points.

Air Force returns to action Saturday, Dec. 4, hosting Army. Tip time is 2 pm MT.

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