Air Force Unable To Rally Against LIU On Veteran’s Day

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's basketball (1-2) dropped a 63-54 contest to LIU (2-1) on Veteran's Day Monday afternoon at Clune Arena. Sophomore center Wesley Celichowski led the Falcons with 18 points.

Air Force rallied back from a slow start to take the lead late. Up three at 54-51 with 4:50 to play, the Falcons went ice-cold from the field, allowing LIU to close the game on a 12-0 run.

The Falcons had another slow start, falling behind 10-2 just four minutes into the game. Air Force would get to within one point minutes later, but LIU closed the half on a 6-1 run to go ahead 36-27 at halftime.

Air Force kept itself in the game by getting to the free throw line. The Falcons went 22 of 28 from the line.

In the second half, Falcons whittled away at the deficit, tying the game at 47-47 with 7:47 to play. After an LIU bucket, senior guard Ethan Taylor gave Air Force its first lead on a three ball to make it 50-49 with 6:27 to go. The Falcons would extend the lead out to three after a pair of Celichowski free throws.

LIU then re-took the lead at 55-54 at the 3:51 mark and never trailed again.

Celichowski had a career-day for the Falcons. The center went 4-5 from the field and 11-16 from the free throw line. He also added a career-high three blocked shots.

Freshman Kyle Marshall and Taylor joined Celichowski in double figures with 11 points by Marshall and 10 for Taylor. Marshall went 6 for 7 from the line, with four rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. Taylor had four rebounds and also led the Falcons with four assists and three steals.

Air Force shot 36 percent from the field and just 20 percent from three.

Guard Malachi Davis led LIU with 17 points.

Air Force returns to action Friday, Nov. 15, hosting Belmont. The game is slated for a 5 pm MT tip.

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