Air Force downs SDSU in season finale

Air Force played intense defense and shot well in their last game of the regular season. The Falcons, playing at home defeated a talented Aztec team. Air Force should meet these same Aztecs in the first round of the MWC Tourney this week.

First, want to wish the Falcon hockey team good luck tonight in game #2 of round 1 of AH Tourney!  Like to be there but must fly waaaaaay early in the am.

AND DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS 1 HR AHEAD TOMORROW (Yes...this is a full service fan forum...we help in ALL areas of your lives!)

Congrats to our team, our head coach, our assistant coaches and the diehard 3500 fans to include the 50 or so Section 8'er's that are always there.  We win and finish alone 5th in the league.  Someone posted in AFAFalcons forum (I think it was AFAFan) that this was our 5th best finish ever since joining the MWC 20+ years ago! And that's after bringing back only 1 with experience, new staff and picked 8th.  Nice job guys.

A gutsy performance by a very athletic team.  In FoAFBB pre-game reception, Coach Snell spoke and said we were NOT going to let them win in the lane....they would have to beat us outside.  Indeed....we limited Wade (6pts) White (2pts) Amoroso (8pts) for the entire game.  Outstanding defense on the part of the Falcons.  Their best 3pt shooter did his part to keep them in the game 5-10 3pts but our defense did the rest.  His shots were not wide open shots on the average....he had someone in his face but did his job.  33% 3pt for SD.  Air Force matched the Aztecs on the boards with AF 24 SD 27 Reb....aggressive play.  Keith Maren, Anwar Johnson and Eric Kenzik did a great job on the big Amoroso and a team effort on Wade in the lane.

The Falcon's offense worked hard (both teams were very tired at the end of the game).  SDSU played 100% man-to-man.  You'd think we'd get some backdoors.  Air Force played aggressive man defense, Princeton/Air Force style offense...but give SDSU credit.  While they played man D they sagged and clogged the lane.  And their speed and (as the coaches say) their length made them play us aggressively to contest every shot inside giving us limited clear open shots (SDSU credited with 2 blocks but I'd say more 'altered shots" based on position thru out the game).  But in postgame interviews, Matt Holland (giant 3 in the 2nd half) said the coaches told them SDSU would try to block everything....so the kick out was there and gave the Falcons the 'few' open three they had....again...with SDSU's speed the Falcons had limited open shots anywhere on the floor, and the Birds WERE NOT STANDING AROUND WAITING FOR SHOTS.

Seniors...congrats and great play.  Tim Anderson...standard.  The leader and made some key shots when needed.  His defense and harassing had an effect on SDSU.  Keith Maren battled as did Eric Kenzik with the big  inside and with Wade / White penetrating.  Much better block-outs by all tonight.  Adam Hood gave some good minutes and rest for both Tim and Evan Washington.  Nice to get these guys a win at home to finish their careers.

Not the official Player of Game, but Evan Washington was my player of the game.  He handled the ball and pressure well.  Solid 2-4 field goals 2-3 FT 5 rebounds3 assts 3 turnovers.  Played more like a senior than a freshman.  Two hard hits....early got cut and landed on right (shooting) arm.  Seemed ok.  In last few minutes got pulled down by the Jersey by Amoroso (he was straight out like being in the wind) while going for layup and landed on his back.  Again...ok (should have been an intentional in my mind...I have not looked at the replay yet).  Matt Holland....Giant 3pts shot and 2-2 FT's all in the 2nd half.  Can't say much more except I hope he continues to get better for next year! Anwar...solid defense as always 7pts and 4 rebounds.  Quiet night for Andrew Henke with 7 points and fouled out, but unlike the first game...SDSU didn't just key on Tim Anderson (11pts)...they put Wade on Andrew.  This made a difference and gave Tim some opportunities.

Very good adjustments by the Air Force coaching staff.  Started the 2nd half w/ 9pt lead and, inside of 3 minutes or so (don't have actual box score play-by-play) was tied.  Time out by coach...made some adjustments (after some obnoxious fan, one of our fans, was yelling at Coach)...next thing you know we come in after timeout, take the lead and never relinquish it.  Not sure what the adjustments were but they worked!

Big win for UNLV and loss for Utah gives Air Force the #5 spot.  So our Falcons face these same Aztecs again next Thursday 2:30pm Pacific.  It will be a tough matchup.  We will need to shoot better from the FT line (as do they) and we will need to contain Wade once again.  For us...if we can get both Tim and Andrew firing together on the same night....We could cause trouble for anyone!  Defense will be the key....but we cannot have long lapses of no scoring.

Can't wait and I'll be there!

Go Falcons, Beat the Aztecs!

_______________________________________________ ltcpilot is a premier Falcon fan; he is a subscriber to AFAFalcons.com and a forum moderator there as well. His insight into Falcon basketball is incredible and he shares that knowledge through AFAFalcons.com and through the Friends of Air Force Basketball. Go Falcons