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Air Force tops Missouri State 88-69, In MW/MVC Challenge

Posted at 10:49 PM, Nov 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-29 01:03:33-05

Air Force men’s basketball (3-4) defeated Missouri State, 88-69, in a Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge game Wednesday night at Clune Arena.  The Falcons made 17 three’s on the night, including six from freshman AJ Walker.

The 17 three’s are the second most in a game in program history and one shy of the record, set against UT-Pan American back in 2002.  Walker’s six three’s is an Air Force freshman record.

The Falcons shot well in all facets of the game.  Air Force was 58.5 percent from the field, 60.7 percent from three-point range and 81.8 percent from the free throw line.

The Falcons had five players reach double-figures in scoring for the first time this season, led by Walker’s 20 points.  Walker went 7 of 12 from the field and made his first six three attempts.  Ameka Akaya followed with 14 points and three rebounds.

Air Force had 12 points each from Chris Joyce and Ryan Swan.  Joyce added four assists and Swan was an efficient 4 of 5 from the field.  Also posting a solid night was Caleb Morris, who scored nine points off a 3 for 3 night from three-point range.  Sid Tomes added five assists.

Tulia Da Silva led Missouri State (3-4) with 22 points.  Keandre Cook added 13 and Ryan Kreklow 11 points.

In a high-scoring first-half, Air Force jumped out to a 48-37 lead.  The Falcons connected on 11 three’s in the opening half to build up the lead.  The Falcons went on to out-score the Bears 41-31 in the second half to finish with the 19 point win.

Air Force head coach Dave Pilipovich and his wife, Kelly, donated one dollar for every ticket sold to the game in support of the American Cancer Society’s patient transportation program, which provides rides to and from treatment centers for cancer patients in need.

The Falcons return to action Saturday, Dec. 1 at Pacific.  Tip time is 7 pm PT at the Spanos Center in Stockton, Calif.