USAFA — Air Force men's basketball fell, 89-74, to undefeated #4 San Diego State in Mountain West action Saturday night in front of 4,401 fans at Clune Arena.
Chris Joyce led the Falcons (9-15, 3-9 MW) with 23 points and Lavelle Scottie posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Air Force had San Diego State on the ropes late, trailing by just three points with 6:13 to play. The Aztecs closed the game out on a 22-10 run to pull away late and remain unbeaten at 24-0, 13-0 MW.
Facing the top defense in the Mountain West and one of the best in the nation, the Falcons put up the most points against the Aztecs this season. Air Force was the first team to crack the 70-point mark against SDSU since November and the first Mountain West foe to do so.
Joyce surged past his previous career-high of 15 points with the 23 point effort. The guard went 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 8 from three point range. Joyce also had a career-high five assists on the night.
Joining Joyce in double-figures were Scottie, Caleb Morris and Sid Tomes. Scottie notched his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Morris added 12, making a pair of three's and Tomes scored 10, adding four rebounds.
Ryan Swan scored the opening bucket of the game for the Falcons with a three. The three gave him 1,000 points for his career, as he become the 27th Falcon in program history to reach the mark. Swan was plagued by foul trouble and played just 14 minutes.
KJ Feagin led four Aztecs in double-figures with 21 points. Feagin hit 5 of 7 from three point range. Jordan Schakel added 18 points and Malachi Flynn scored 17 to go with eight assists. Matt Mitchel scored 16.
San Diego State shot 55.8 percent from the field and 51.9 percent from three. Air Force shot 46.4 percent from the field and 40 percent from three.
The Falcons out-rebounded SDSU 33-30 and had a 12-7 advantage in second chance points.
Air Force returns to action Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Boise State. The game tips at 7 pm MT and will be broadcast by AT&T SportsNet.
