Raw Falcons get seasoning
ALBUQUERQUE • A youth movement seemed to begin in earnest for Air Force during its 78-53 loss to New Mexico on Saturday night at The Pit.
Freshmen Sammy Schafer and Jon Atkins set career highs for minutes played with 15 and 21, respectively. Two other freshmen — Taylor Stewart and Trevor Noonan — played 14 and 8 minutes, respectively, and freshman Brandon Provost got in the game late.
Schafer, who started at center in the second half in place of junior Mike McLain, scored four points and had three rebounds. Atkins, who made a steal and turned it into a layup in the second half, finished with six points and two assists.
For multiple stretches, Air Force had three freshmen and sophomore Evan Washington on the floor. In addition, sophomore Phillip Brown, who was academically ineligible the first semester, played for the first time this season.
750 at The Pit
Saturday’s game was the 750th played at The Pit, New Mexico’s storied arena.
New Mexico is 606-144 on Bob King Court, which opened Dec. 1, 1966, and is set 37 feet below street level. Air Force has won only twice in 27 games at The Pit.
Etc.
In the second half of the conference opener against San Diego State and the first half of Saturday’s game, Air Force made only 13-of-48 shots (27.1 percent), including 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) from 3-point range. … Not helping matters Saturday was the foul trouble in which senior guard/forwards Andrew Henke and Anwar Johnson found themselves. Johnson picked up his third foul with just under 9 minutes left in the first half, and Henke fouled out with 7:49 left.
