LAS VEGAS — It seemed like old times for Air Force, or at least the past decade when the Falcons willed the tempo and dictated the score.
Air Force, with just one win (over Wyoming) since Jan. 2, ousted the Cowboys 59-40 on Wednesday in the play-in game of the men’s Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Now comes the hard part at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Falcons (10-20) play MWC regular-season champion and eighth-ranked New Mexico (28-3) today in the quarterfinals. Coincidentally, Air Force’s best game came at The Pit on Feb. 20, when the Lobos had to pull ahead in the final minute to escape 59-56.
“We definitely know we can play with them,” said senior Grant Parker, who led the Falcons with 15 points.
New Mexico has at least a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament riding on an extended stay in the MWC Tournament.
Although star freshman Desmar Jackson scored 18 points, the Cowboys (10-21) sorely missed point guard JayDee Luster, who was sidelined because of a groin injury.
“We were a little bit blessed today in the sense that JayDee Luster wasn’t able to play, and I think it changed Wyoming’s game plan significantly,” said Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds.
It was the second consecutive year Air Force pulled off an upset of the MWC’s No. 8 seed. Last year, the Falcons knocked out Colorado State after failing to win a conference game during the regular season.
As soon as Air Force seized a 19-9 lead midway through the first half, Wyoming found itself in a halfcourt game forcing 3-point shots. The Cowboys shot just 2-of-16 behind the arc.
