Air Force survives the play-in game, beats Wyoming

By Case Keefer (contact)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 | 4:57 p.m.

Air Force has extended its season — at least momentarily.

Air Force, which went 1-15 in the Mountain West this season and finished last in the standings, defeated Wyoming, 59-40, Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center in the Mountain West Conference Tournament play-in game.

"We were really well-prepared," Air Force senior Grant Parker said. "We knew what they were going to do pretty much every single play."

Air Force will face No. 1 seed New Mexico at noon Thursday in the first round of the tournament.

Air Force and Wyoming split their two meetings in the regular season, but the Falcons broke away early in the tournament matchup. Parker scored seven points in the opening eight minutes, helping his team to a 12-9 lead they never relinquished.

"He was a little more focused today, a little more driven and intense," Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said of Parker's play. "You could see it in the pre-game."

Parker finished with 15 points and three rebounds. The Falcons led by at least three possessions for the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Wyoming surged late and cut the score down to 47-40 with five minutes remaining. The pro-Cowboy crowd at the Mack rose from their seats for the first time, hoping for a couple more defensive stops.

Those stops didn't happen. Not with Parker on the floor. Parker went into the paint for a contested layup to extend the lead to 49-40 and widened the gap a couple minutes later with a three-point play.

"They kind of gave up," Parker said. "We were able to attack them after that."

Freshman Michael Lyons added 11 points and five rebounds for the Falcons, while freshman Todd Fletcher had 9 points.

Desmar Jackson, a freshman guard, led the Cowboys with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. But Jackson, who was forced to play point guard because of a groin injury normal starter JayDee Luster suffered against UNLV, also committed seven turnovers

"I felt like the biggest difference in the game was the fact that JayDee Luster didn't play," Reynolds said. "They weren't able to push their transition nearly as quickly and we were able to make them have to attack our half court defense."

New Mexico crushed Air Force, 73-50, earlier in the year in Colorado Springs, Colo. But the Falcons played right with the Lobos three weeks ago before falling, 59-56, on the road.

Parker said that game gave the Falcons confidence for tomorrow's contest.

"We definitely know we can play with them," Parker said. "We showed that at their place. This is a great chance to come out and show it."