Air Force Downed By First-Place New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Air Force men's basketball dropped a 92-71 contest at first-place New Mexico (23-6, 15-3 MW) in Mountain West play Saturday afternoon at The Pit. Sophomore Caleb Walker led the Falcons with 16 points and freshman Will Cooper added 14.

New Mexico shot 53 percent from the field and forced 20 Air Force turnovers. The Lobos held a 28-6 advantage in points off turnovers.

The first-half saw several scoring swings, as New Mexico built to a 47-32 halftime lead. The Lobos pressure defense forced 14 Falcon turnovers in the opening half.

A 17-2 run saw New Mexico jump ahead 23-7 early. Air Force began to figure out the Lobo defense by getting constant open looks on back-door cuts, to counter with a 23-13 run of its down to cut the game to six points at 36-30 with 3:12 to play in the half.

New Mexico then responded with an 11-2 run to close out the half.

The Falcons scored 39 points in the second half, but were unable to pull closer, as the Lobos scored 45 points.

Air Force shot 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from three. The Falcons knocked down eighth three's and out-rebounded the nations 16th-ranked rebounding team 34-33. Air Force also got a season-high 37 points from its bench.

Walker paced three Falcons in double-figures, going 7-of-10 from the field. Walker also tied for the team-lead with seven rebounds and had a career-high three steals. Cooper was 3-for-3 from three and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.

Joining Cooper and Walker in double-figures was senior Chase Beasley. Beasley scored 10 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Freshman Kyle Marshall also filled the stat sheet, adding seven points, a career-high nine assists and six rebounds.

Guard Donavan Dent led five Lobos in double-figures, scoring 23 points, to go with six assists. Forward Nelly Junior Joseph added 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Air Force returns to action Tuesday, March 4, for its home finale and senior night against Boise State. Tip time is 7 pm MT and the game will be broadcast on ALT2 and streamed on the MWN.

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Team Stats

Caleb Walker

Will Cooper

Chase Beasley

Luke Kearney

Players Mentioned

Chase Beasley

Will Cooper

Kyle Marshall

Caleb Walker

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