Air Force erases 23-point deficit, beats DII Western State

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Lavelle Scottie had a career-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting and Air Force overcame an early 23-point deficit on Monday night to beat Western State Colorado 79-67.

The Falcons (5-3) missed nine of their first 11 shots while the Division II Mountaineers jumped to a 27-4 lead in the first nine-plus minutes. Air Force pulled the margin back to 46-33 by halftime and erased the deficit entirely at 53-all.

The Falcons tied it at 55, the Mountaineers tied it at 57 and then Air Force took off with a 15-4 run and led by at least nine the rest of the way.

Pervis Louder had 15 points, seven boards and six assists, Sid Tomes scored 11 and Ryan Manning 10 for Air Force.

Collin Smith had 17 points, Ben Beauchamp added 15 and Michael Hill scored 14 for Western State.