AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Air Force guard Evan Washington recognized it as doing the job any good guard would do.
“Our emphasis was to drive with the ball and create for other guys,” Washington said.
The Falcons had a bunch of creators Saturday with a season high-tying 18 assists and shot 51.9 percent from the field in a 71-50 victory over Texas-Pan American (3-7) at Clune Arena.
“They switched up a lot of defenses and made us work,” Washington said. “They were helping a lot on our good shooters like Andrew (Henke) and Matt (Holland), and that just opened up the middle for us to go to the basket.”
Except for a brief tie at two in the first two minutes, Air Force (7-2) led all the way behind Henke’s 23 points, Washington’s 11 and Anwar Johnson’s 10.
Henke played a career-high 38 minutes and hit 9-of-15 shots from the floor, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
“We had good energy and focus,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said. “We shared the ball as well tonight as any Air Force team I’ve seen here. I was proud of our effort because that team isn’t 20 points worse than we are. Every one of our players is beginning to recognize their roles a little bit.”
Emmanuel Jones scored 15 points to lead the Broncs.
TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN (3-7)
Hawkins 2-3 0-0 4, Jones 4-9 7-8 15, Maree 1-3 0-0 3, Weiermiller 3-11 0-0 8, B.Smith 3-10 0-0 9, Silva 0-1 0-0 0, Valera 2-5 1-2 5, Jensen 1-3 0-0 2, A.Smith 1-1 0-0 2, Zaney 1-1 0-0 2, Allgood 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-48 8-10 50.
AIR FORCE (7-2)
Henke 9-15 0-0 23, Holland 3-6 2-2 9, McLain 2-2 0-0 6, Washington 5-6 1-2 11, Johnson 4-11 2-3 10, Provost 0-0 0-0 0, Atkins 0-0 0-0 0, Noonan 3-7 1-2 7, Stewart 1-2 0-0 2, Merriex 1-3 0-0 3, Brooks 0-1 0-0 0, Schafer 0-0 0-0 0, Parker 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-54 6-9 71.
Halftime — AFA 40-26. 3-point goals — UTPA 6-20 (B. Smith 3-10, Weiermiller 2-5, Maree 1-2, Jensen 0-1, Allgood 0-1, Silva 0-1); AFA 9-18 (Henke 5-10, McLain 2-2, Holland 1-2, Merriex 1-2, Noonan 0-1, Brooks 0-1). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — UTPA 21 (Jones 6), AFA 36 (Henke 8). Assists — UTPA 12 (Weiermiller 5), AFA 18 (Holland 4). Total fouls — UTPA 15, AFA 12. A — 2,021.
