Falcons beat Cougars 52-49

The Falcons come up with a big win at BYU to move to 3-0 and stay undefeated in conference play. The points: McCraw 14, Keller 4, Hood 10, Burtschi 5, Welch 16, Holum 1, . Totals 21-43 3-4 for 52

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Nick Welch scored 16 points to lead Air Force past BYU 52-49 Saturday afternoon.<P>

The Falcons (12-6, 3-0 Mountain West) have now won six of their last seven, while the Cougars (6-13, 0-4) have lost five of their last six.<P>

Turnovers and missed free throws proved costly for the Cougars, as they allowed 12 steals and converted just 38 percent from the line.<P>

The Falcons took a lead they would not relinquish with 3:30 left, when a Welch 3-pointer put them up 48-47. The Cougars answered with a basket by Jimmy Balderson to pull within one before Antoine Hood scored a layup off a Matt McCraw steal.<P>

McCraw nailed two free throws with 11.6 left in the game, and BYU's Austin Ainge missed a wild 3-point shot at the buzzer to seal the Falcon win.<P>

Keena Young led BYU with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Next up for AFA: At Utah, 7pm, Monday, 22 Jan 05.