LAS VEGAS, Nev — Air Force men’s basketball (4-13, 2-11 MW) dropped a 68-58 Mountain West contest at UNLV (7-9, 4-5 MW) Saturday afternoon at Thomas & Mack Center.
The Falcons hit a season-high 15 three’s in the loss, led by six three’s by junior AJ Walker.
With the loss, Air Force has extended its losing streak to 6 straight games.
In a game that featured several big runs, it was UNLV that was able to pull away late.
Air Force led for much of the first-half, leading by as many as six. UNLV took its first lead at the 8:12 mark and the teams played evenly for much of the first half. UNLV took a 31-28 lead at the break.
After ending the half on a 6-0 run, the Rebels opened with a 10-0 run to jump ahead 41-28. Air Force came right back with a 16-3 run of its own to tie it up at 46-46 with 11:43 to play.
UNLV next followed with a 12-0 run to go up 58-46 with 6:09 to play. The Falcons were unable to mount another rally.
Air Force shot 15 of 32 from three-point range, good for 41 percent shooting from long range. Six different Falcons made a three with three making multiple.
Walker led Air Force with 18 points, tying a career-high with his six three’s. Chris Joyce added 14 points, making four three’s. Ameka Akaya scored seven points and dished our a career-high five assists. Akaya also led the team with four rebounds.
Nikc Jackson added six points on a pair of threes. Camden Vander Zwaag made his season debut for the Falcons, playing 15 minutes in reserve with one point and three rebounds. Abe Kinrade returned to action after missing the last five games. Kinrade scored five points and had two rebounds.
Bryce Hamilton scored 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead UNLV. Cheikh Mbacke-Diong scored 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting.
Game two of the series with UNLV is Monday, Feb. 8. Tip time is 6 pm PT and the game will be televised by CBS Sports.
