AIR FORCE ACADEMY — No. 6 San Diego State assumed control in the second half to pull away for a 70-58 victory Saturday over scrappy Air Force at Clune Arena.
In the process, the Aztecs (27-1, 12-1 Mountain West Conference) established a school record for victories. Next up, a home conference showdown with BYU next Saturday.
“We got ourselves a double-digit lead, and we found a way not to give them easy looks at the other end,” San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said.
The Aztecs were sluggish through the first half. Air Force kept the game close, but the Aztecs’ superior height, strength and speed allowed them to put the game away.
“I told my team at halftime that we were doing a bad job against their fast break,” Fisher said. “You normally don’t associate (that) with Air Force. They scored seven layups off the conversion in the first half, but they didn’t get many in the second half.”
Air Force hit four 3-point shots, its low mark in conference play.
In addition to defending the 3-pointer well, San Diego State outrebounded AFA 50-21, which led to 19 second-chance points, compared with two for AFA.
“We knew Air Force would come out with their A game,” said Aztecs forward Malcolm Thomas, who led his team in scoring with 20 points. “We’re sixth in the country, but we can’t just play one half good. Our main goal coming into the game was to dominate inside.”
Thomas also had 13 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and 15 rebounds.
The Falcons (13-12, 4-8) led by as many as seven points in the first half. Michael Lyons led Air Force with 18 points, and Derek Brooks had 15.
“I don’t like moral victories,” Brooks said. “It’s a loss and it hurts. I hope we made them think a little bit.”
The tide began to turn on a Thomas field goal with 15:53 left as the Aztecs took a 39-38 lead. They steadily built on that advantage the rest of the way during a free-throw fest. The Aztecs were 24-of-33 at the line, and Air Force was 16-of-22.
“I’d like to play them again,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said. “I can’t ask our guys to be any more focused or carry out a game plan any better.”
SAN DIEGO ST. (27-1, 12-1 MWC)
Thomas 8-13 4-8 20, Leonard 4-14 9-10 18, White 1-4 5-5 7, Rahon 1-7 0-0 3, Gay 3-12 1-4 9, Carlwell 1-2 1-2 3, Shelton 0-0 0-0 0, J. Franklin 0-0 0-0 0, Tapley 2-5 4-4 10. Totals 20-57 24-33 70.
AIR FORCE (13-12, 4-8)
Fow 4-9 2-2 12, Broekhuis 1-2 0-0 2, Fletcher 1-3 0-0 2, Lyons 6-12 6-6 18, Washington 2-5 2-3 6, Fitzgerald 1-4 0-0 2, Bohannon 0-1 0-0 0, Stewart 0-0 1-2 1, Brooks 4-14 5-9 15, Brakeville 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-50 16-22 58.
Halftime — Air Force 32-31. 3-point goals — San Diego St. 6-24 (Tapley 2-5, Gay 2-10, Leonard 1-2, Rahon 1-7), Air Force 4-19 (Fow 2-6, Brooks 2-6, Washington 0-1, Broekhuis 0-1, Fletcher 0-1, Lyons 0-2, Fitzgerald 0-2). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — San Diego St. 50 (Leonard 15), Air Force 27 (Washington 5). Assists — San Diego St. 11 (Gay 5), Air Force 12 (Washington 5). Total fouls — San Diego St. 18, Air Force 23. Technical foul — Air Force bench. A — 3,463.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
