AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.—In a game dedicated to the seniors, a freshman sealed the win for Air Force Saturday afternoon in Clune Arena.
In a game that was physical under both boards from the start, the key play was a defensive rebound by freshman Evan Washington with one second left to play. With Air Force leading 45-43, Washington grabbed the rebound off a 3-point shot by San Diego State’s Lorrenzo Wade and was fouled by Ryan Amoroso on the way down.
Washington got to his feet, rubbed at an eye that was bumped on the play, and calmly stepped to the line to convert a free throw to give Air Force a three-point lead.
The ensuing inbound pass bounced off the back of Air Force defender Keith Maren near midcourt, and the Falcons closed out their regular season before a roaring home crowd with a 46-43 win.
Washington stepped to the line with the game likely hanging on the balance.
“I just wanted to seal the win,” he said. “I wasn’t really nervous.”
Air Force led through the entire second half, but the Aztecs kept them from pulling away with the help of the three-point shooting of guard D.J. Gay.
Maren, a senior center, provided the spark Air Force needed with just under 10 minutes to play. Maren drove the length of the floor after stealing a pass beneath the basket to make the score 35-30, then went to the line and completed a three-point play to extend the lead to six points. Matt Holland got a steal off the next San Diego State possession, leading to another two points and an eight-point lead.
That proved to be enough of a cushion for the Falcons. The Aztecs threatened, but couldn’t overcome the lead.
Gay finished with 17 points, including five of 10 from three-point range. Tim Anderson led Air Force with 11 points, 10 of which were in the first half.
“I thought tonight was very special for our seniors,” said Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds. “They didn’t want to lose this game.”
With the win, Air Force is 16-13 overall heading into next week’s Mountain West Conference tournament. The Falcons finished in fifth place in regular-season conference play.
