LAS VEGAS — Air Force hung around Thursday more than New Mexico fans expected or the Mountain West Conference champion Lobos wanted.
If the NCAA Tournament seeds on style points, New Mexico (29-3) might be in danger of falling past the No. 3 seed. The bottom line in the MWC Tournament quarterfinals was New Mexico won its 15th straight, outlasting Air Force 75-69.
New Mexico coach Steve Alford kept most of his starters in until six seconds remained.
The Falcons (10-21) ended a painfully disappointing, injury-marred season. New Mexico advances to the Colorado State-San Diego State winner.
Air Force showed New Mexico’s narrow escape in Albuquerque a few weeks ago wasn’t a case of the Lobos overlooking the Falcons. Freshman Michael Lyons made it a three-point game with 4:36 left but the Falcons couldn’t get any closer.
New Mexico’s MWC player of the year Darington Hobson began building his case for similar all-tournament honors. The conference’s most lauded player had his double-double before midway of the second half, finishing with 28 points and 15 boards.
Air Force nearly dictated the tempo in a close call in Albuquerque a few weeks ago. New Mexico wanted nothing of the deliberate pace this time.
The turning point came with Air Force down 53-49 and Michael Lyons looking to cut the gap in half. His shot was blocked by Roman Martinez. A.J. Hardeman scored at the other end and the predominately New Mexico crowd erupted at the Thomas & Mack Center.
AFA stayed in the game early in the second half when a technical on Hobson converted into two Tom Fow foul shots. After an AFA miss and Lobos turnover, Fow knocked down a trey to close within 48-44 with 13:09 left.
A forced turnover and Evan Washington layup in traffic made it a two-point game and he hit the free throw to trail by just one point 48-47.
Grant Parker opened the second half with a 3-pointer for the Falcons, teammate Todd Fletcher reduced New Mexico’s lead to three points.
Following a 13-12 Air Force lead with 14:01 left, New Mexico went on an eight-point tear. New Mexico first-team All-MWC guard Dairese Gary punctured the run with a steal and length of the floor break to go up 20-13.
Natalie Meisler: 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
