Air Force men fall in overtime to No. 12 UNLV

What made Air Force’s 65-63 overtime loss to 12th-ranked UNLV so difficult to handle for the Falcons wasn’t that they lost to a team that could end up in the Final Four, but that they had a tough time figuring out how they lost.

With the crowd at Clune Arena sensing a historic upset for most of the second half, the Falcons believed as well. They led by five points with a little more than 3 minutes left, and held a lead as late as 1:12 remaining in regulation.

There were missed free throws here and there, a blown assignment that led to a late UNLV 3-pointer, a non-call at the end of regulation, six crushing turnovers in overtime and a final play that didn’t result in a shot as Air Force had a chance to tie or win it.

There were plenty of heartbreaking moments for Air Force to ponder over a sleepless night.

“In the second half we turned the ball over in really critical times, and we still had a chance to win it,” Falcons coach Jeff Reynolds said.

Air Force was 1-73 vs. ranked teams in its history, but had a chance to win through regulation, and at the end of overtime.

The Falcons had one final chance after UNLV’s Mike Moser missed a pair of free throws in overtime and Mike Fitzgerald jumped on a loose ball and called timeout with 7.6 seconds left. Air Force trailed by two points. The final play didn’t even result in a shot.

The play was designed for a screen for guard Todd Fletcher, who would drive to the basket with one of three possible positive results: a short shot, getting fouled or kicking out to the corner for a 3-point shot. But the Rebels played the screen well, cutting Fletcher off from the basket. With few options, Fletcher tried to pass, but UNLV’s Chace Stanback knocked it loose and the buzzer sounded.

Air Force also had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation. Lyons drove to the basket and was bumped, but no foul was called. His shot fell off the rim, and the game went to overtime.

“I know I got fouled,” said Lyons, who scored 25 points. “Technically I didn’t get fouled because the ref can’t call it.”

Lyons kept the Falcons in the game, especially after a blazing hot start from UNLV. The Rebels led 24-13 early in the game, but starting with a 19-4 Falcons run, Air Force maintained a shot at the upset until the final buzzer.

“It was extremely tough, because we had chances to win,” Lyons said. “I don’t want to think about it any more, I just want to look forward to New Mexico, to be honest.”