FORT COLLINS — The drought is finally over.
Air Force defeated Colorado State 76-71 on Wednesday night at Moby Arena to snap a 12-game skid against the Rams. The Falcons also thwarted a CSU victory bid that would have moved coach Larry Eustachy to No. 2 in program history for all-time wins.
Eustachy entered the game 10-0 against Air Force.
The Rams held a 33-31 halftime advantage that was narrowed by Air Force’s six 3-pointers before the break. When Air Force forward Lavelle Scottie converted a layup with 12:15 remaining, the Falcons led 44-42.
BOX SCORE: Air Force 76, Colorado State 71
CSU regained control with a 12-2 run, but Air Force wouldn’t relent.
“I went to the huddle (down eight points) and they said, ‘Coach, we got this.’ They weren’t looking down or scared,” Air Force coach Dave Pilipovich said. “No, it was, ‘We got this.’ That gave me confidence. It was awesome.”
The Falcons took the lead, 68-67, when Scottie hit a corner 3-pointer that silenced the 3,216 in attendance at the 1:45 mark, and Air Force ended the game with an 11-4 run of its own. CSU guard Prentiss Nixon attempted a desperation shot behind the arc with 17 seconds remaining, but it clanked off iron. Nixon also went down with a left ankle injury on the play, writhed in pain on the hardwood, and had to be helped off the court.
Eustachy told reporters Nixon’s ankle was extremely swollen and that he was on crutches in the locker room. Nixon is expected to miss at least one game.
“The game unfolded the way I thought it would and we had a chance to close the door,” Eustachy said. “Give (Air Force) credit for some spectacular plays to beat us.”
Air Force guard Trevor Lyons paced the Falcons with 22 points and the team hit 12-of-39 3-point attempts.
Nixon led the Rams with 18 points. CSU forward Nico Carvacho added 12 points and 13 rebounds.
CSU (10-10, 3-4) moves ahead to a 3 p.m. Saturday home tipoff against UNLV. Air Force (8-10, 2-4) hosts Fresno State at 2 p.m. Saturday.
