AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.—For Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds, Friday night was a chance to get a look at his entire roster.
The Falcons hit 10 3-pointers and held Western State to 31.3 percent shooting in a 65-37 victory. All 16 of Air Force’s players saw action against the Division II Mountaineers, with 11 on the floor for at least 10 minutes.
Freshman Kamryn Williams went 4 for 4 from the floor in leading the Falcons (3-0) with 10 points against the Division II Mountaineers.
“It felt good (out there), and I wasn’t as nervous as I was the first game,” Williams said. “We have good chemistry, and if coach keeps letting us play as freshmen, we’re going to get some good experience.”
Williams has yet to miss a 3-pointer (4 for 4) in an Air Force uniform after connecting on two against Western State.
Fourteen players scored for Air Force, which won for the 17th consecutive time in the series.
It was the fewest points the Falcons have allowed since holding TCU to 36 points on March 5, 2008.
“When you get the chance to play 11 guys in double minutes, that’s a great opportunity for those guys to get their feet wet,” Reynolds said. “I thought we shot the ball well in the first half, and defensively we were tuned in early in the second half. I think every game we’re getting better, and it’s a work in progress.”
Travis Shepherd led Western State (1-2) with 10 points.
Air Force turned a double-digit lead into a rout with a 13-0 run at the end of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half.
Western State shot 5 of 22 from 3-point range, 2 of 10 from the free-throw line and committed 18 turnovers.
The Falcons, who attempted 35 3-pointers, had just eight turnovers against 18 assists. Seven Air Force freshmen played, totaling 70 minutes and 27 points.
The level of competition increases for Air Force’s next game against Colorado on Wednesday. Air Force has not defeated the Buffaloes since 2006.
“We’ve just got to continue to improve offensively,” Reynolds said. “The first thing we have to work on is transition defense, because (Colorado is) a very good transition team and a very good offensive rebounding team.”
