Air Force Wins Third Straight In 59-56 Victory Over Montana

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force men's basketball (4-3) held off Montana (3-4) for a gritty 59-56 win Sunday afternoon at Clune Arena. The Falcons won its third consecutive game and its first over the Grizzlies since 1979.

Air Force led for much of the first half, despite being hampered by eight turnovers. The Falcons shot 56 percent from the field in the opening half to hold a 24-23 lead at the break. Brandon Whitney kept Montana in the game almost single-handedly by going 6 of 7 from the field for 12 points in the first half.

Air Force took control of the game in the second half, getting up by as many as 12 points at 48-36 with 8:39 to play. A 9-0 run helped key big lead.

Montana stormed back with a run of its own and got to within one point with 27 seconds to play. Air Force was able to close the game out by going 6 for 6 from the free throw line in the last 27 seconds. Jeffrey Mills, who had a career-high 14 points, made four of the six and Jake Heidbreder sank two.

Heidbreder led Air Force with 16 points, adding five rebounds. Corbin Green scored 15 points, grabbing three boards and blocking four shots.

Montana was led by Whitney, who scored 17 points. Josh Bannan added 15 points and six rebounds.

Air Force shot 49 percent from the field 61 percent from the free throw line. Montana shot 47 percent from the field but just nine percent (1 of 11) from three-point range.

Air Force returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 30, hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The game tips at 7 pm MT and will be broadcast on Altitude 2 and simultaneously streamed on the Mountain West Network.

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