Air Force Upset Bid Falls Just Short In 81-73 Setback At #25/RV New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Air Force men's basketball (12-10, 3-6 MW) dropped a 81-73 contest at #25/RV New Mexico (19-3, 6-2 MW) in a Mountain West action Friday night in front of an announced crowd of 15,143 at The Pit. Freshman Rytis Petraitis led the Falcons with a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Air Force rallied back from an early double-digit deficit to take the lead in the second half. The Falcons took the lead with 13:32 to play in the second half. The teams battled back and forth until New Mexico re-took the lead for good with under six minutes to play. The Falcons stayed within a couple baskets till the end, but the Lobos were able to hold off the late rally.

Petraitis led three Falcons in double-figures, going 5 of 9 from the field and 7 of 9 from the line. Sophomore Ethan Taylor had a season-high 17 points and a game-high five assists. Taylor went 3 for 4 from three-point range. Sophomore Beau Becker added 12 points despite being limited to 21 minutes due to foul trouble.

New Mexico stormed out to a double-digit lead just five minutes into the game, leading 15-4 with 14:40 to go in the first half. The Falcons were able to slow down the Lobo fast break the rest of the half and were able to get the deficit down to three with under seven minutes in the first half. New Mexico went into the half leading 43-34.

The Falcons came out strong to start the second half, as a 9-2 spurt closed the gap to one point just three minutes in. The Falcons took the lead at the 13:32 mark on a three-point play by Jeffrey Mills. Air Force led by as many as four before New Mexico came back.

Jamal Mashburn Jr. gave the Lobos a 66-65 lead with a basket with 5:26 to play. New Mexico would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way. Mashburn led the Lobos with 24 points and Jaelen House added 19 points. Morris Udeze scored 15 points to go with eight rebounds.

Air Force shot 47 percent from the field and made ninth three's on the night. The Falcons also shot 80 percent from the line and had 18 assists. New Mexico shot 53 percent from the field but 29 percent from three.

Air Force returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 31, hosting Boise State. Tip time is 7 pm MT and the game will be broadcast by Altitude Sports and streamed on the Mountain West Network.

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