Air Force Unable To Hold Off New Mexico In 69-65 Setback

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Air Force men's basketball (10-17, 3-13 MW) fell to New Mexico (12-17, 4-11 MW), 69-65, in Mountain West action Saturday afternoon at The PIT. Sophomore Joseph Octave tied a career-high with 18 points to lead the Falcons.

Air Force was unable to maintain a six-point halftime lead, as New Mexico rallied back in the second half. Guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. led the Lobos with 24 points and guard Jaelen House added 16 points and guard Javonte Johnson scored 10.

Air Force led 30-24 at halftime, holding New Mexico's offense at bay early. The Lobos shot just 28 percent from the field and were 1 of 11 from three point range (9.1 percent). Trailing by four, Air Force out-scored New Mexico 18-8 over the final eight minutes of the first half to take the halftime lead.

New Mexico began to attack the rim in the second half. The Lobos took control of the game by shooting 52 percent from the field and getting to the free throw line 20 times, making 18.

The Falcons found themselves trailing by eight with under 10 minutes to play before mounting a late rally. The Falcons then went on an 8-0 run to tie the game up at 51-51 with 5:46 to play.

New Mexico immediately went back up by four and the teams traded buckets the rest of the way.

Joining Octave in double-figures was freshman guard Jacob Heidbreder, who scored 16 points for his fifth-straight game in double-digits. Heidbreder now has 280 points on the season, setting an Air Force freshman record for most points in the Mountain West era. Heidbreder added six rebounds and four assists.

Freshman center Lucas Moerman added nine points and seven rebounds. Freshman guard Ethan Taylor scored seven and dished out four assists. Junior forward Nikc Jackson scored four points and had seven rebounds. Junior guard Carter Murphy led the bench with five points.

Air Force shot 45 percent from the field for the game. The Falcons got to the free throw line 23 times, but made just 13 (57 percent). The Falcons also had a season-high 15 fast-break points and its 36 rebounds was the second-most in a game.

Air Force returns to action Tuesday, March 1, in its regular season-finale, hosting San Jose State for senior night. The game tips at 7 pm MT and will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network, courtesy of FalconVision.+

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