Defense keys easy Air Force win

Air Force played its entire game against Wright State in man defense, something it hasn’t done in at least four years when Jeff Reynolds became coach.

Based on the results, the Falcons are going to play a lot more man defense going forward.

Air Force locked up Wright State, turning it its best defensive performance of the year in a 55-34 win at Clune Arena on Wednesday night. Wright State shot 19.6 percent from the field and just 2-of-19 on 3-pointer.

Air Force, which has two close losses to Colorado and Drake, improved to 4-2.

“We were very pleased we were able to play 40 minutes of man,” Reynolds said. “We’ve put an emphasis on being a solid defensive team.”

The defensive shift away from the comfortable matchup zone is a testament to the athleticism Air Force has. With a deep and athletic group of freshmen the Falcons can play a different style and be effective.

“We were keeping the pressure on them,” forward Mike Fitzgerald said. “I think they got a little winded, because we were giving them so much pressure.”

The Falcons turned the ball over 14 times, shot just 42.2 percent, and struggled against Wright State’s physical style. That didn’t matter.

Air Force led by 14 after the first half and by more than 20 more most of the second, even with the offense plodding along. With about 10 minutes left, Air Force had all of its starters on the bench as the reserves protected the huge lead. The Falcons might have been able to hold Wright State to less than 30 points had the starters stayed in. The Raiders had 20 points through 28:33 of the game.

The Falcons allowed just 13 points in the first half, the fewest they have allowed in a half this season.

“It was excellent,” guard Michael Lyons said of Air Force’s defense. “We worked on that a lot since the Drake game. We didn’t play defense like we wanted in that game, so we wanted to come out and make a statement.”

Contact Frank Schwab: 476-4891

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