Fort Collins – Colorado State could not beat Air Force’s near-perfect performance in the first half of the Front Range teams’ Mountain West Conference men’s basketball opener Wednesday night.
Of course, not many teams can beat an outfit that refuses to commit a turnover during the first 20 minutes or sizzles with 55.6 percent shooting from 3-point range for 40 minutes.
The Rams did well to challenge in the second half, reducing the 20th-ranked Falcons’ 14-point lead to a few two-point gaps before falling 81-75 in front of a season-high Moby Arena crowd of 7,280.
It’s a new year, but the same old story in the Mountain West. It matters little if other teams have an advantage in size or quickness, because the Falcons find a way to win through near-flawless execution.
“We need to play with desperation every time,” said Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik, whose 14-1 team has won 10 consecutive games. “If not, we’re not good enough and can get beat. This win is huge. Every win is huge.”
Air Force finished with four players in double- figure scoring, led by senior forward Dan Nwaelele’s game-high 22 points. Nwaelele hit 7-of-10 shots from the field, including four 3-pointers.
“You have to play almost a next-to-excellent game to beat Air Force anywhere,” CSU coach Dale Layer said. “We played about 25 minutes that way.”
It was the first time in the Falcons’ win streak that they didn’t win by double figures.
Air Force led 45-35 at halftime, after playing a turnover-free first half, but CSU star Jason Smith took over in the second half and, despite foul trouble, finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots in 36 minutes.
“It’s very frustrating and that’s why teams have been ending up losing by 20 or more points to this team,” said Smith, a 7-foot junior. “But at the beginning of the year, we said we were never going to give up, and I think we proved that tonight.”
Air Force welcomed the challenge to start league play.
“Colorado State is a great team. Close games are fun in a way because they are good experience for the team and the coaching staff,” said AFA junior guard Tim Anderson, who scored 17 points.
Both teams came in riding nine-game win streaks and CSU (10-3) had to avoid flashing back to a year ago when a similar strong start evaporated with the opening of league play. Unlike that first trip to San Diego State last January, the Rams remained competitive in this one.
“We have to move on. We can’t let one loss determine our season,” said senior guard Cory Lewis, who scored 18 points for the Rams.
Half of Lewis’ points came on three shots in the final 25 seconds.
The Falcons finished 15-of-27 from 3-point range, with the Rams unable to stop the assault.
CSU wasted 54.5 percent shooting from the field and a 32-23 advantage in rebounds.
AIR FORCE (14-1, 1-0 MWC)
Burtschi 6-13 2-2 17, Nwaelele 7-10 4-4 22, Welch 2-5 0-0 4, McCraw 5-11 2-2 16, Anderson 5-9 3-4 17, Henke 0-1 0-0 0, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Frye 2-5 1-2 5. Totals 27-54 12-14 81.
COLORADO STATE (10-3, 0-1 MWC)
Jas. Smith 9-11 1-2 19, Creason 5-8 2-2 12, T. Smith 1-6 0-0 2, Denson 2-4 1-1 6, Gilling 4-11 0-0 11, Kilby 1-1 0-0 2, Lewis 6-11 2-5 18, F. Robinson 2-3 0-0 5, Vermeulen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-55 6-10 75.
Halftime – Air Force 45-35. 3-point goals – Air Force 15-27 (Anderson 4-5, McCraw 4-7, Nwaelele 4-7, Burtschi 3-7, Henke 0-1); Colorado State 9-21 (Lewis 4-7, Gilling 3-6, F. Robinson 1-2, Denson 1-2, T. Smith 0-4). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – Air Force 23 (Burtschi 5), Colorado State 32 (Jas. Smith 10). Assists – Air Force 20 (Burtschi 5), Colorado State 16 (Lewis 5, Jas. Smith 5). Total fouls – Air Force 11, Colorado State 18. A – 7,280.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
