LARAMIE, Wyo. (March 2, 2019) – Despite Wyoming's 13 three pointers for the night, the Air Force Falcons shot 47 percent from the field and used 20 second chance points in a 80-72 win over the Cowboys inside the Arena-Auditorium on Saturday. The Cowboys cut a 10-point deficit to two points in the final minute, but the falcons hit free throws late to seal the win.

"This is a different Air Force team in terms of what they want to do offensively, and so we did have to mix it up some between man and zone (defense)," UW head coach Allen Edwards said.  "It was a hard fought game the whole way.  We cut it to two (72-74) with under a minute to play (58 seconds).  They hit a couple free throws on their next possession, and then after we missed a three Air Force came back with a big possession there at the end where they got us on a back cut and we were called for a blocking foul to stretch the lead out (to six points 78-72).  "
 
Wyoming was led in scoring by senior Justin James with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. James has scored 20 or more points in 20 games this season and 47 times in his career. He is now 23 points away from 2,000 for his career. He was 8-of-17 from the field on the night in 40 minutes of action.

 "Obviously J.J. (Justin James) is a special basketball player," Edwards said.  "To come away with 23 points and six rebounds was another outstanding performance.
 
Junior Jake Hendricks added 18 points on six three pointers for the second most in his career. He hit a career-high seven against Air Force in the first meeting this season and once against Denver. Freshman trace Young added 11 points with three triples. Junior guard A.J. Banks and senior Jordan Naughton added six points. Banks also added six rebounds and four assists.

 "I did think Jake (Hendricks) played better tonight," Edwards said.  "He made some shots (6 of 11 from three-point range)."

Air Force was led by Ryan Swan with a career-high 37 points. He was 13-of-17 from the field for the night. It was the second most points by an opponent after Boston College's Ky Bowman scored 38 against the Pokes on Nov. 19.

The Pokes finished the night 24-of-55 for 44 percent. The Falcons countered at 47 percent. Wyoming was 13-of-36 from behind the arc for 36 percent. Air Force held a 41-28 advantage on the boards including grabbing 12 offensive rebounds.

 "When you look at our team, we have to minimize things like second-chance points to win basketball games.  I thought a few times we had guys watching the action on the glass rather than getting in there and mixing it up a little bit.  We did do a better job of taking care of the basketball today (only eight turnovers committed). 
 
After the Falcons opened the game with a three-pointer, the Pokes went on a 9-0 run thanks to a pair of triples from Hendricks and a another three-ball from Trevon "TJ" Taylor. But the Falcons would go on an 8-0 run to build an 11-9 advantage five minutes into the half.

The Falcons continued to their hot shooting at 58 percent and held a 21-16 advantage nearly halfway through the half, but a drive and bucket from James and a triple from Trace Young tied it at 21-21 nearly halfway through the half.

After another brief run by the Falcons, the Cowboys tied the game at 29-29 and AJ Banks made it a 31-29 game with a hammer dunk on a lob from James with 5:38 left in the half. Air Force would go on a 7-0 run to take a 36-31 advantage with three minutes remaining in the first frame.

The Pokes would battle, but the Falcons hit a key three-pointer late taking a 44-40 lead into the break. Air Force hit 58 percent of their three-pointers in the first 20 minutes with the Pokes adding eight triples in the half.
The Falcons came out strong to open the second half building an eight point advantage at 53-45 with 15:19 left in the game. Lavelle Scottie was hot for the Falcons with six points early in the frame.


Hendricks would hit back-to-back threes, a pair of freebies from James and a fast break dunk from Young made it a 57-54 lead for the Falcons with 11:13 left. But the Falcons pushed the lead to nine points halfway through the half with Swan leading the charge.

The Pokes made it a five-point contest at 69-64, but a triple from AJ Walker pushed the Falcon advantage back to eight with 4:17 left.

Wyoming chipped away at the lead and made it a two-point game at 74-72 with 58 seconds left. James made recorded an-and-one to make it a two point contest. But the Falcons responded with six-consecutive free throws to take the contest, 80-72.

Scottie added 18 points and 10 rebounds and is one point shy of 1,000 for his career. He was 8-of-22 from the field for the night.

The Pokes return to action on Wednesday heading to San Jose State for a matchup with the Spartans at 8 p.m. MT.