Air Force Opens Season at Bowling Green With 62-58 Setback

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Air Force men's basketball opened the season with a 62-58 setback at Bowling Green Monday night at Stroh Center. Senior Camden Vander Zwaag led three Falcons in double figures with 14 points and four three's.

Air Force jumped ahead early but a pair runs by Bowling Green found them playing catch-up. The Falcons jumped ahead by 11 at 13-2 to open the game. A 12-0 run helped aid the quick start.

Bowling Green then responded with an 8-0 run and later a 10-0 run to jump ahead by six with eight minutes to go in the first. The teams went into the half with Air Force trailing 35-29.

The game remained close the entire second half. Bowling Green extended its lead to 11 points with eight minutes to go, but Air Force kep the game close with the three ball. The Falcons hit seven of its 12 three's in the second half.

Down eight with five minutes to play, the Falcons got back in the game. A barrage of three's, highlighted by a three by Vander Zwaag with 12 seconds left, pulled the Falcons to within three at 61-58. Bowling Green was able to get the ball in on the inbounds play and converted one of two free throws to go up four. Air Force missed its final shot to end the game.

Joining Vander Zwaag in double figures were sophomore guard Jake Heidbreder and senior guard Carter Murphy. Heidbreder scored 12 points on four made three's. Murphy scored 11 off the bench, connecting on a pair of three's.

Freshman Marcell McCreary made his collegiate debut, adding nine points, six rebounds and a team-high three steals. Sophomore Kaleb Lichau and freshman Rytis Petraitis also made their debuts in reserve.

Sophomore Lucas Moerman had a team-high eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Sophomore Ethan Taylor had four assists.

Guard Leon Ayers III led Bowling Green with 16 points. Guard Samari Curtis added 14 and forward Rashaun Agee scored 13.

Air Force shot 40 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. Bowling Green shot 39.3 percent from the field and 30 percent from three.

Air Force returns to action on Veteran's Day Friday, Nov. 11, hosting Delaware as part of an AF Athletics tripleheader with the women's basketball team and men's ice hockey team. The game tips at 3 pm MT and will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.

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