Upset Bid Falls Just Short In 67-59 Setback at #20/19 Colorado State

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Down three starters, Air Force men's basketball (8-5, 1-1 MW) nearly pulled off a big upset, falling 67-59 at #20/19 Colorado State (11-0, 1-0 MW) Tuesday night at Moby Arena.

Air Force kept the game close throughout and had a chance to take the lead late. Trailing 54-52 with seven minutes to play, Camden Vander Zwaag's three point attempt was halfway in before spiraling out of the rim. Colorado State then went on a 6-0 run to go back up by eight. Air Force was unable to get any closer than to within six points of the Rams the rest of the way.

With its roster depleted due to covid protocol, Air Force got production from several players who previous served in reserve roles. Junior guards Carter Murphy and Camden Vander Zwaag combined for 24 points and five three-point baskets. Murphy scored 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting, including a perfect 3 of 3 from three-point range. Vander Zwaag netted career-high's of 12 points and four assists in his second straight game playing 40 minutes.

Freshmen guards Ethan Taylor and Jake Heidbreder also combined for 31 points for the Falcons, as both logged 40 minutes each. Taylor scored a game and career-high 19 points, adding six rebounds and four assists. Heidbreder scored 12 points and pulled down four rebounds.

Air Force led for much of the first half, but a big run by Colorado State saw its lead evaporate and go into the half trailing. The Falcons led by as many as seven in the first half and didn't trail till the 5:06 mark. The Falcons led 21-16 before a 14-0 CSU run helped put the Rams ahead and eventually take a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Colorado State would build up to a 10 point lead to start the second half, but the Falcons rallied back to tie the game up with 10:55 to play, spearheaded by a 9-0 run. Air Force kept the game close late into the game, but the upset bid came up just short.

Colorado State was led by guard Isaiah Stevens and forward David Roddy. Stevens scored 15 points and Roddy notched a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Air Force shot well on the night, shooting 52 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range. The Falcons tied a season-high with 10 made threes.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Jan. 8, hosting UNLV. Tip time is 8 pm MT and the game will be televised by CBS Sports.

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