Fresno State gets tourney bye with 54-48 win over Air Force
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Bryson Williams scored 15 points with eight rebounds, Ray Bowles added 11 points, and Fresno State beat Air Force 54-48 on Monday night to clinch a first-round bye in the Mountain West Conference Tournament for the fourth straight season.
The Bulldogs (21-9, 11-6) entered the game third, behind Nevada and Boise State, in the conference standings and face fourth-place New Mexico on Saturday.
Fresno State held the Falcons to 28.6-percent shooting from the field, outscored them 30-20 in the paint, and led 23-19 at halftime.
Trevor Lyons and Lavelle Scottie hit two free throws apiece and Air Force tied it at 25, but Deshon Taylor answered with a 3 that put the Bulldogs up for good, 28-25, and sparked an 11-0 run. CJ Siples' layup capped a 9-2 Air Force run and the Falcons closed to 44-40 with 5:06 left, but got no closer.
Caleb Morris scored 12 points and Lyons had 11 with 10 rebounds for the Falcons (11-17, 5-11), who entered the game in ninth place.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Kevin Brill
- Chris Rastatter
- Eric Curry
2023-24 Mountain West Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Utah State | 14-4 | - | 28-7 |
Nevada | 13-5 | 1 | 26-8 |
Boise State | 13-5 | 1 | 22-11 |
UNLV | 12-6 | 2 | 21-13 |
San Diego State | 11-7 | 3 | 26-11 |
New Mexico | 10-8 | 4 | 26-10 |
Colorado State | 10-8 | 4 | 25-11 |
Wyoming | 8-10 | 6 | 15-17 |
Fresno State | 4-14 | 10 | 12-21 |
Air Force | 2-16 | 12 | 9-22 |
San José State | 2-16 | 12 | 9-23 |