Colorado Huge First Half Run Dooms Air Force

The Air Force Falcons could not have asked for a better start Tuesday evening in Boulder as they took on the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado was lethargic and turnover prone early and the Falcons were ahead 10-6 for the first five minutes of the game. Ten minutes later in actual game time, the Falcons would get a Zach Kocur three-pointer to stop a 25-0 Buffaloes run which was sparked by point guards Xavier Talton and Dominique Collier. Colorado had effectively blown open the game and sealed a 68-53 victory for the home team.

Tad Boyle has built a basketball program in Boulder that emphasizes defense and rebounding, and Air Force (3-2 overall) saw first hand the product of Boyle's work as the long and athletic Buffaloes stymied the Falcons all night, including holding leading scorer Max Yon to no points for the game. Yon came into the game averaging a Mountain West Conference leading 17.5 points per game, but could not get untracked for his worst game since he became a full time starter. Coupled with the fact that top inside player Kamryn Williams was in foul trouble most of the night, and the Falcons could not have written a worst script for the nights action.

Pacing the Falcons on the night would be a pair of freshman guards in Matt Mooney and Trevor Lyons. Both would score 10 points on the night in what would be a forgettable offensive night for the visitors. The Falcons, who entered the game shooting 51% from behind the three-point line on the season, hit on only 20% of their shots Tuesday evening. Mooney would play an overall good game despite having shooting problems, coming up with five steals on the night. Another freshman guard, C.J. Siples, would contribute eight points on an evening where the freshman led a second half surge where they were able to cut a 29 point lead down to 15 late in the second half.

Colorado would be led in scoring by junior forward Xavier Johnson who would score 15 points. Colorado Springs resident Josh Scott would chip in 13 points for the home team who would have a much better night shooting than they did this past weekend in Laramie. The Buffaloes would shoot 44% from three-point land and dominate the rebounding game with a 30-17 advantage.

The Falcons will return to Colorado Springs for some practice time before heading out to Lubbock, Texas this weekend to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The game will be Sunday afternoon and start at Noon in the Mountain Time Zone.