Air Force offense collapses in loss at TCU

FORT WORTH – Even on a night of struggles, Air Force still had a chance to escape to overtime when Todd Fletcher released a 3-point shot.

“It felt pretty good,” Fletcher said.

The shot bounced harmlessly off the rim, dooming Air Force to a 59-56 loss Wednesday to TCU at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The Falcons lost to a Horned Frogs team that had dropped 23 of its past 26 Mountain West games.

The defeat sends Air Force (11-7) to seventh place in the eight-team Mountain West. On Jan. 14, the Falcons were roaring after a road win over Boise State. Air Force has since lost three straight while averaging 51 points.

Center Taylor Broekhuis, who played at Colorado Springs Christian, led the Falcons with 15 points while taking only six shots from the field. After the game, he offered a tough critique.

“We weren’t crisp tonight,” Broekhuis said. “We weren’t cutting hard getting to our spots and there was just a little bit of sloppiness.”

The lack of precision destroyed Air Force’s chances. Mike Fitzgerald, who scored 14, led the Falcons to within one point, 57-56, with 4:05 left. Air Force did not score again.

TCU coach Jim Christian laughed when he considered the Falcons’ offensive troubles.

“I think it was good defense on our part because I’m coaching this team,” he said.

The Horned Frogs left the door open. TCU scored only five points in the game’s final 7 minutes.

With 1:24 left, Fitzgerald grabbed a rebound, giving Air Force a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer. When the shot clock fell below 10 seconds, TCU defenders challenged the Falcons near the 3-point line. Coach Jeff Reynolds wanted one of his players to drive to the basket. No one did.

With 3 seconds left on the shot clock, Broekhuis passed to Michael Lyons, who struggled to find open space. He launched a shot either just before or just after the shot clock ran out.

“I thought he got it off,” Reynolds said. Officials thought otherwise and whistled the Falcons for a shot-clock violation.

But a TCU offensive foul gave Air Force a final chance. With 4 seconds left, Christian wanted his players to foul Broekhuis. They didn’t, allowing Broekhuis to find Fletcher for the Falcons' final chance.

“I kind of rushed it a little bit, but it was a good look,” Fletcher said. “I should have hit it.”

Air Force must quickly recover quickly. The Falcons play host to UNLV, ranked No. 12 nationally, Saturday.

“We’re going to put out a good showing on Saturday and get a win,” Broekhuis said. “We’re going to play well. I have faith in my teammates.”

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