Air Force senior Holland making most of minutes

Senior forward Matt Holland said he played too many "empty minutes" early this season.

"Sometimes I just focus on running the offense and moving the ball around instead of being aggressive," Holland said. "So that's the main thing for me. Playing my defender a little bit more and just staying aggressive with the ball."

In recent games Holland has been more aggressive, and his minutes have been filled with points and positive plays.

Holland scored 15 points in the Falcons' 75-52 victory Sunday over Norfolk State at Clune Arena. It marked his fourth straight game scoring in double figures. He's averaged 15.3 points in that stretch while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor, including 57.9 from 3-point range.

"I think he's more assertive, and I think he's looking for his shot a little bit more, but I don't think Matt's being selfish at all," Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said. "I think he makes open shots, and what people are doing to him is forcing him to dribble it and he's turning the ball over a little bit too much. But other than that he's playing pretty well."

Too many turnovers
Air Force committed 16 turnovers Sunday, marking its third straight game with 14 or more. After turning the ball over just 27 times in the first three games, the Falcons have committed 50 in the past three.
"Offensively we're just very, very casual," Reynolds said.

Etc.
Freshman guard Jon Atkins scored the first points of his career Sunday, draining a pair of 3-point attempts and making one of two free throws. Atkins' first career points came with about 8:25 left in the first half when he hit a 3 to give Air Force a 25-11 lead. ... Freshman center Sammy Schafer also notched his first career point with a free throw late in the game.