AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Clune Arena no longer is Air Force’s eminent domain.
Playing where they won 31 consecutive games not too long ago, the Falcons lost for the third time in four home games, as red-hot New Mexico pulled away down the stretch Wednesday night for a 68-51 victory.
Air Force (13-12, 5-7 Mountain West Conference) has lost five of seven overall.
It was the fifth consecutive conference win for the Lobos (21-6, 8-4), who shot 55.8 percent from the floor, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range, and had a bristling defense that forced 15 Air Force turnovers.
New Mexico coach Steve Alford credited his team’s fast pace on offense and a strong defense that limited Air Force to nine points in the last 8:11 of the game.
“I thought we wore them down,” Alford said. “In the second half we hold them to 30-some percent shooting (33.3) and 16 points on their home floor.
“We talked at the half that the first team to 60 points wins. When you play Air Force, that’s the key. Our pressure was good on defense. Their offense slowed in the second half, and that’s usually a sign that you’re wearing somebody down.”
“I don’t know if you can throw (three) losses into us losing our home-court advantage,” Air Force’s Andrew Heinke said. “They definitely stuck it to us in the second half. They made open shots.”
It wasn’t difficult for Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds to point out where the Falcons bumbled away any chance to upset the Lobos. After a comeback from a 14-point deficit, 27-13, to gain a tie at 35 at halftime, the Falcons weren’t up to the challenge to start the second half. The Lobos weren’t much better, but a steal and a dunk by J.R. Giddens gave New Mexico a 41-35 lead.
“That set the tone for the rest of the game,” Reynolds said. “We didn’t allow the offense to generate better shots.
“They made some tough shots and we couldn’t defense them. They’re playing very well offensively.”
The New Mexico offense dazzled the Falcons with 19 assists on 24 baskets, with guards Dairese Gary and Jamaal Smith each getting five.
Giddens played only five minutes in the first half because of two fouls. He came back to score nine of his 14 points in the second half and played 25 minutes.
Reserve center Eric Kenzik led the Falcons with 11 points, all in the first half. His scoring was on two 3-pointers and a free throw that tied the game at 29 with 4:01 left in the first half.
NEW MEXICO (21-6, 8-4 MWC)
Martinez 3-6 0-0 7, Faris 4-5 3-5 11, Wills 1-3 0-0 3, Gary 3-6 2-2 9, Giddens 4-6 4-6 14, Harris 1-1 0-0 2, Smith 2-4 0-1 5, Pegues 1-1 0-0 2, Prentice 2-3 0-0 6, Toppert 3-8 0-0 9. Totals 24-43 9-14 68.
AIR FORCE (13-12, 5-7)
Holland 0-1 0-0 0, Johnson 3-8 1-1 8, Maren 4-6 1-1 10, Anderson 2-5 3-6 7, Washington 1-1 3-4 5, Henke 4-8 0-0 10, Hood 0-0 0-0 0, Brooks 0-2 0-0 0, Kenzik 3-6 3-4 11. Totals 17-37 11-16 51.
Halftime — Tied 35-35. 3-point goals — New Mexico 11-19 (Toppert 3-7, Giddens 2-2, Prentice 2-2, Wills 1-1, Gary 1-2, Smith 1-2, Martinez 1-3), Air Force 6-18 (Henke 2-4, Kenzik 2-4, Johnson 1-2, Maren 1-3, Holland 0-1, Brooks 0-2, Anderson 0-2). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — New Mexico 22 (Giddens 7), Air Force 22 (Maren, Washington 5). Assists — New Mexico 19 (Gary, Smith 5), Air Force 9 (Anderson, Johnson 3). Total fouls — New Mexico 16, Air Force 15. A — 3,658.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
