Air Force men's basketball notes: Lyons still struggling

LYONS CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE

Michael Lyons is still fighting to recover from a sprained ankle. The Falcons junior guard finished with six points. He did not make a field goal in the first half.

In the first eight games of the season, Lyons scored 20 or more points four times. After suffering an ankle sprain against Gonzaga, Lyons missed six games. Since his return, he has scored a total of 19 points in three games, all losses.

TCU guard Hank Thorns said he believes Lyons is struggling with the injury. He said Lyons looks “about 85 percent” healthy.

“I think he should attack a little bit more,” Thorns said, “but I’m glad he’s not attacking against us.”

Lyons declined to offer excuses.

“My leg feels good,” he said.

Coach Jeff Reynolds agreed.

“I was told tonight that he’s as close to 100 percent as he’s been,” Reynolds said. “I think he’s getting defended. People know he’s a pretty good player. Mike’s got to find ways to get his shot off. He’s as close to 100 percent as he’s going to get.”

FLETCHER SUFFERS INJURED FOOT

Guard Todd Fletcher suffered a sprained left foot. He said he plans to play Saturday against UNLV

THORNS SCORES 22 ON ONLY 12 SHOTS

TCU guard Hank Thorns was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. He sank 9-of-12 shots, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

“I had flashbacks,” Thorns said, laughing about his hot streak. “I had flashbacks to when I was in high school and I was scoring 40 a game.”

Thorns is listed as 5-foot-9. He admits that height is a slight exaggeration.

“I’m 5-foot-8,” he said.