Air Force men’s basketball began its 2025-26 season with a 79-63 loss to Belmont at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday night. Freshman Kam Sanders led the Falcons in his collegiate debut, scoring 18 points and providing seven assists.
Belmont had four players score in double figures. Forward Sam Orme led with 21 points, while guard Tyler Lundblade contributed 18 points.
The Falcons started strong, making their first eight shots and leading 19-11 six minutes into the game. They shot 61 percent from the field in the first half. However, Air Force committed 12 turnovers before halftime, which resulted in 19 points for Belmont. The Bruins also made more free throws in the first half, holding a 12-1 advantage and taking a narrow 39-38 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Belmont increased defensive pressure and focused on inside play. An 11-0 run turned a close contest into a double-digit deficit for Air Force. Belmont finished with 38 points in the paint and had a significant edge in points off turnovers, outscoring Air Force 35-6 in that category.
Freshmen accounted for much of Air Force’s offense, combining for 42 points. Lucas Hobin came off the bench to score nine points on three three-pointers. Ethan Greenberg added five points as a starter, and Justin Hinds also made his collegiate debut.
Sophomore forward Eli Robinson scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in his first career start after playing only one game as a freshman last season.
Junior Caleb Walker was another key contributor for Air Force, finishing with 12 points on efficient shooting—4-for-5 from the field and perfect from the free throw line—and adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Overall, Air Force shot 51 percent from the field and made 78 percent of its free throws. The Falcons out-rebounded Belmont by a margin of 31-23.
Air Force will next play Austin Peay at home on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. MT.
