Air Force fattens up for finals against N.C. Central

Good thing for Air Force it played so well in the first half Saturday night, because it needed the cushion during a sluggish second half.

The Falcons won 73-56 against North Carolina Central at Clune Arena, but the Eagles made a run in the second half after falling behind by 20 at halftime. They cut Air Force’s lead to nine points and had a 3-point attempt circle the inside of the rim and come off with a little more than four minutes left. Air Force, which improved to 6-2, pulled away after that.

“I think we got into a lull on both sides of the court,” said guard Evan Washington, who had a season-high 15 points. “We got off balance and started to take them for granted, and they’re a good team and they came out strong.”

Air Force’s halftime lead was its largest since leading N.C. Central by 20 points last season as well, and the Falcons got some big baskets from players who usually don’t score much.

Todd Fletcher and Washington each picked up two fouls in the first half. Taylor Stewart is usually a top option off the bench but not a prolific scorer, with just 15 points in Air Force’s first seven games. But he hit three of his five shots in the first half, and finished with 10 points in the game.

Shawn Hempsey rarely gets any minutes, logging just 13 before Saturday night, with no points. But he was hot as soon as he came in for Washington, getting nine points before halftime, hitting three-of-four shots including a 3-pointer.

He reached his career high in points in the first half alone. 

“Shawn Hempsey gave us a spark,” coach Jeff Reynolds said. “Taylor Stewart gave us great energy.”

Air Force let N.C. Central stay in the game after building a big halftime lead. The Eagles had the Falcons’ lead down to just nine points, but after their 3-point attempt came so close to cutting the Falcons’ lead to six, Stewart got a rebound and put it back, and then Washington hit a couple layups to give Air Force a 67-52 lead. 

Because players are taking final exams over the next few days, the Falcons won’t play again until Arkansas-Pine Bluff comes to Clune Arena next Saturday. Reynolds said his team looked tired in the second half. The Falcons played a road game on Wednesday, had travel delays most of Thursday flying back from Ohio, then played again Saturday.

“It’s a good win to go into finals, and try to tackle that monster,” Stewart said.