Air Force men’s basketball lost to Grand Canyon University 81-57 in a Mountain West Conference game on Tuesday night at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The Falcons now hold a record of 3-19 overall and 0-11 in conference play, while Grand Canyon improves to 15-7 overall and 8-3 in the Mountain West.
Freshman forward Riley Dering led Air Force with a career-high 15 points and five rebounds. He also contributed two steals and a blocked shot, shooting 7-of-10 from the field. “The freshman shot 7-of-10 from the field and also led the team with two steals and a blocked shot,” according to the team statement.
Grand Canyon took control early, leading by 30 points at halftime with a score of 48-18. The Lopes shot 60 percent from the field in the first half, including five three-pointers. In contrast, Air Force managed just 32 percent shooting before halftime.
In the second half, Air Force improved its performance by outscoring Grand Canyon 39-33. The Falcons shot 45 percent from the field and were perfect from the free throw line, making all nine attempts.
Makai Williams and Brian Moore Jr. each scored 15 points for Grand Canyon as part of four players who reached double figures for the Lopes. As a team, Grand Canyon finished with a shooting percentage of 53 percent for the game.
For Air Force, freshmen Lucas Hobin and Ethan Greenberg added to the offense with Hobin scoring 12 points—including three free throws—and Greenberg making three three-pointers for an 11-point total. Freshman Kam Sanders contributed five assists and tied Dering for the team lead in rebounds with five.
The group of Falcon freshmen accounted for 47 points, marking their second-best collective output this season.
Air Force will next play San Diego State on Saturday, February 7 at Clune Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Mountain Time and will be televised on FS1.
