Holland staying sharp for Falcons

Matt Holland hasn't missed many shots lately.

And he kept his hot hand Wednesday night.

Air Force's senior forward made 8 of 10 shots from the floor, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range, en route to a game-high 21 points in the Falcons' 67-55 victory over Northern Illinois in front of an announced crowd of 2,388 at Clune Arena.

"He's just in a little groove right now," Air Force senior guard/forward Andrew Henke said. "He's getting his feet set and open shots, and he's knocking everything down."

Senior guard Anwar Johnson had 19 points, three steals and four assists against just one turnover for Air Force, which improved to 5-2. Henke added 14 points and six rebounds, and sophomore guard Evan Washington chipped in with seven points and eight rebounds.

The Falcons, who did not go to the foul line until nearly 7 minutes into the second half, made 16 of 21 free throws in the final 13:29, including 13 of 15 down the stretch.

Holland entered the season shooting 44.9 percent from the field, including 38.4 percent from 3-point range. But his teammates always knew he was a better shooter. And this season he's proving it.

In the last five games, Holland has made 30 of 43 shots (69.8 percent), including 16 of 25 3-pointers (64.0 percent).

"He's just got his confidence - I think that's a big part of it," Johnson said. "He's always been a great shooter in my mind, ever since I played with him at the prep school.

He's getting more confident in the offense and the flow of things."

Holland said he's been asked a lot lately to explain his sharp shooting.

"I'm just kind of doing the same thing, just preparing for the games mentally," Holland said. "When I'm in the game, just being focused the whole time - getting my feet set, just being in the right spot."

Against the Huskies, Holland was in the right spots at the right times. When Northern Illinois (3-5) went on a 9-0 run late in the first half, Holland stopped it with a pull-up 16-footer. When the Huskies' Mike DiNunno hit a 3-pointer to cut Air Force's lead to six early in the second half, Holland answered with a 3 on the ensuing possession.

And after Northern Illinois cut the Falcons' lead to 41-38 with a second-chance basket with 12:38 to play, Holland scored eight of Air Force's first 15 points in a game-clinching 21-8 run, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"You can't leave him open right now," Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said.

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Contact the Writer: 
636-0365 or jake.schaller@gazette.com. Check out our Air Force blog at gazetteafasports.freedomblogging.com

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