Air Force gets road victory over San Jose State 66-52

The Air Force Falcons rode a 11-0 first half run and clutch free throw shooting by senior starter Justin Hammonds at the end of the game to defeat the host San Jose State Spartans 66-52 Wednesday evening. The win improved the Falcons record to 9-11 overall and 2-7 in Mountain West play while San Jose State continued their season of misery dropping to 2-18 overall and 0-8 in conference play. The win Wednesday would give Air Force the season sweep in the series between the two teams.

Early in the game, the Spartans came out on fire with Rashad Muhammad hitting three big three-point baskets and scoring 11 of the teams first 16 points to capture a 16-12 first half lead. The hot start by Muhammad (who would only score those 11 points on the night) would be followed by a four-minute stretch where neither team would score before freshman reserve Matt Mooney would break the ice with a lay-up. The Falcons would go on an 11-0 run at this point to jump out to a nine point lead. Mooney would score seven of his game high 20 during this stretch and sophomore forward Hayden Graham would chip in  with four of his 16 points.

Freshman Trevor Lyons would pace the Falcons in the second half, scoring 10 of his 11 points in the second frame. The Falcons would maintain their lead in the second half by having an outstanding night at the free throw line, shooting 84% from the stripe including a four out of four effort by Hammond late in the game that allowed the Falcons to maintain their double digit margin of victory.

The Spartans were paced by Jaleel Williams and his 16 points and another 15 points from Darryl Gaynor II.

Air Force, who won their first true road game of the season, will now continue their road trip by playing Saturday night in UNLV. San Jose State will hit the road Saturday, heading to Albuquerque to face the Lobos of New Mexico.