1 week Ago By MARISSA KRAUS [email protected]
All season, Air Force has been sluggish in the opening minutes. After a layup by guard Ethan Taylor in the first five seconds of Friday’s game against Belmont, the energy shifted in Clune Arena. While the Falcons (1-3) weren’t able to keep the momentum, falling to the Bruins (3-1) 79-71, it was a step in the right direction Friday night.
“We played a really good team, I thought we played well,” coach Joe Scott said. “We've been encouraged because we did what we did in practice. I can see us developing as a team because we are developing in the way we are practicing and playing and the guys can see that.
It just comes down to the little things.” Despite the loss, Friday saw career-high nights by freshman Sam Duskin and sophomore Caleb Walker, who posted 13 and 17 points, respectively. Air Force shot 46.
3% from the field (25-of-54), while holding the Bruins to 43.6% (24-of-55). Taylor saw the most minutes in his career with 40.
Before Friday, he was third in the nation for minutes per game with 38.3. After Mills’ opening play, the Falcons stayed aggressive, feeding off the 2,000-person home crowd and going on an 8-0 run while keeping Belmont scoreless for three minutes and 13 seconds.
Sophomore guard Sam Duskin contributed 11 points in less than five minutes of play including three from 3-point depth to give Air Force an early 13-7 lead at the first timeout. “I got my mind right and came out firing,” Duskin said. “Coach had told us to not be afraid to shoot.
It dropped off after that, but it was off to a good start and that's what we have been struggling with. So it was good to have a change.” Out of the timeout, however, the Falcons looked much like their old selves, going scoreless for nearly six minutes before a Taylor layup stopped the drought.
The Bruins took advantage, eventually taking the lead for the rest of the half that ended with a 37-32 advantage. After a quick start by Belmont to open the second half, Air Force got the score within three before being plagued by 11 fouls to help the Bruins regain the lead. The Falcons had 14 of their 21 total personal fouls in the second half.
Belmont kept its momentum for the remaining minutes to secure its third win of the season. Next, Air Force will hit the road for its first away game of the season where it will face Cal on Thursday, Nov. 21 in Berkeley, Calif.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT.
.
