AFA: Freshman rewarded for play in practice

FORT COLLINS • Heading into Tuesday's game at Colorado State, freshman guard Shawn Hempsey had played only 11 minutes in four career games - the last on Dec. 28 against Dartmouth.

But Hempsey has performed well in practice, coach Jeff Reynolds said. And he was used early and often against the Rams, playing 17 minutes.

"Coaches told me to be ready every night," Hempsey said. "I'm thankful I got a chance, and hopefully I did well enough to keep getting a chance."

Hempsey finished with two points and two rebounds, but Reynolds said he was happy with the 6-foot-1 guard's play.

"He did a good job," Reynolds said.

Johnson sheds boot, plays

Senior guard Anwar Johnson hasn't practiced since prior to last Wednesday, when he aggravated a right foot injury against Utah.

But Johnson played through the injury for the second straight game and scored four in 30 minutes.

"Anwar was out of sync all night - it's really hard for him when he doesn't get a chance to practice," Reynolds said. "All he does is play, and we don't know until game time whether he's going to play."

Johnson, who wore a boot on his injured right foot Sunday and Monday, should benefit from time off. Air Force doesn't play again until Tuesday at Wyoming.

Sick game for Gardner

Colorado State guard Willis Gardner began to feel sick during the Rams' shootaround Tuesday morning. And he then "lost his breakfast, lunch and pregame" meal, Rams coach Tim Miles said. But Gardner, who was lying down while his teammates warmed up, played and had 11 points and a game-high six assists.

Etc.

Air Force's bench provided only three points. Colorado State's contributed 24. ... Sammy Schafer made a career-high five assists. ... Take away Matt Holland's 4-for-6 foul-shooting performance, and Air Force went 5-for-16 from the line.