Air Force Unable to Hold Off Colorado State In Regular Season Finale

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's basketball (9-21, 2-16 MW) fell 82-73 to (RV/--) Colorado State (22-9, 10-8 MW) in its Mountain West and regular season finale Saturday afternoon at Clune Arena. Sophomore Rytis Petraitis led the Falcons with a career-high 27 points.

Playing in front of a crowd of 4,668, the biggest crowd at Clune Arena since 2013, the Falcons were unable to maintain a double-digit lead over the Rams.

Air Force went ahead 31-21 with 5:51 left in the first half, utilizing an 8-1 run to jump to the big lead. Colorado State fought back to tie the game up at the half, leaning heavily on senior guard Isaiah Stevens. Stevens scored 22 of his game-high 29 points in the first half, capping the first-half with a basket to tie the game before the half at 42-42.

In the second half, Air Force could not slow down the CSU offense, as the Rams shot 73 percent from the field in the second half. Colorado State closed the game by making 10 consecutive field goals. Air Force got the game to within six points with under three minutes to play, but CSU made four consecutive baskets to remain ahead for good.

Petraitis went 10 for 15 from the field and also led the team with eight rebounds, four assist and three steals.

Beau Becker added 14 points, making four three's. He finished the regular season with 72 three's, moving him into a tie for 10th most in a season at Air Force.

Freshman Luke Kearney was the third Falcon in double-figures, scoring 11 points. Kearney was a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Air Force connected on nine three's on the day to finish with 163 three's in MW play, which is a new program record for most three's in a MW season.

The Falcons shot 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 80 percent from the line.

Air Force returns to action at the 2024 Mountain West Men's Basketball Championships, which runs Wed.-Sat., March 13-16, in Las Vegas. The Falcons open play on Wednesday, March 13, in the opening round. Air Force plays in the 6 vs. 11-seed game at 4 pm PT.

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