Air Force Blows Past South Dakota, 79-58

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force men's basketball (6-4) rolled to a 79-58 win over South Dakota (5-5) Tuesday afternoon at Clune Arena. Sophomore guard Jake Heidbreder scored a career-high 27 points as the Falcons avenged a loss last season to the Coyotes, improving to 6-2 at home.

Air Force played inspired defense all game, holding South Dakota to 37 percent shooting from the field and 14 percent from three. The Falcons also blocked seven shots.

Air Force played lock-down defense on South Dakota in the first-half, building a 39-21 lead at the half. The Falcons held the Coyotes to 28 percent shooting from the field and 0 of 10 shooting from three point range in the first half. Air Force held South Dakota to one made field goal over the final 10:53 of the first half. The Falcons also blocked six shots in the opening half.

South Dakota managed to get the game to within 12 points midway through the second-half, but a 7-0 burst had the Falcons back up by 20 with five minutes to play.

Air Force shot 49 percent from the field and a season-best 82 percent from the line (18 of 22). The Falcons were 46 percent from three, making 11 of 24.

Heidbreder went 8 of 12 from the field, knocking down a career-high five three's on eight attempts. He was also a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line. Senior Camden Vander Zwaag joined Heidbreder in double-digits with 14 points. Vander Zwaag hit three three's and was 5 of 6 from the line.

Jeffrey Mills and Rytis Petraitis added eight points each. Petraitis also added eight rebounds and two blocks. Beau Becker scored a career-high seven points.

Ethan Taylor led the Falcons with six assists. Corbin Green had three blocked shots. Freshman Solo Jones made his collegiate debut for the Falcons in reserve.

Guard A.J. Plitzuweit led South Dakota with 15 points and Max Burchill added 11 points. Forward Tasos Kamateros had 15 of the Coyotes 31 rebounds.

The win avenged a 59-53 loss for the Falcons, in the 2021 season-opener to South Dakota last season.

Air Force returns to action Friday, Dec. 9, hosting Arkansas State. The game tips at 7 pm MT and will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.

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Team Stats

Jake Heidbreder

Camden Vander Zwaag

Jeffrey Mills

Rytis Petraitis

Players Mentioned

Beau Becker

Corbin Green

Jake Heidbreder

Solo Jones

Jeffrey Mills

Rytis Petraitis

Ethan Taylor

Camden Vander Zwaag

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