Air Force notes: Pace makes waste

Air Force has played at a little faster pace than usual this season, and one unintended consequence could be unforced turnovers.

When Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds reviewed the video of his team’s loss to Wyoming on Wednesday, he was disappointed that seven of the team’s 16 turnovers were unforced.

“To me, that’s undisciplined,” Reynolds said. “You’ve got to be able to make better decisions. Our decision making wasn’t good on either end.”

Against a San Diego State team that feeds off its home crowd, Reynolds stressed to the Falcons that it could not make as many sloppy mistakes with the ball and expect to win. Air Force slowed the game down against the Aztecs, often waiting until late in the shot clock to attempt a field goal.

“I think where they get a lot of momentum is when they turn you over with their pressure,” Reynolds said.

Lyons starting again

Guard Michael Lyons returned to the starting lineup against San Diego State. He came off the bench against Wyoming, his first game back from an ankle injury.

The Falcons will be adjusting to not only getting Lyons back in the lineup, but playing without injured starter Taylor Stewart. Kamryn Williams stayed in the starting lineup, replacing Stewart.

“It’s going be the same situation when Mike was out — some players will have to step up and hopefully Mike will get stronger as he gets healthier,” center Taylor Broekhuis said. “It’ll be a process.”

Big challenge

Air Force has had almost no success in its history against ranked teams. Before Saturday’s game against San Diego State, which is 16th in the Associated Press poll, Air Force was 1-72 all time against ranked teams. The lone win was against 21st ranked UTEP in 1992.