Final: BYU 90, Air Force 52; Falcons dealt worst home loss in program history

February 10th, 2011, 1:21 am · 8 Comments · posted by Frank Schwab

Even in the darkest days of Air Force men’s basketball, it never lost at Clune Arena by more than 35 points. A 103-68 loss to BYU on Jan. 16, 1993 was the worst home loss in the program’s history, until tonight.

BYU scored an amazing 54 points in the second half on 20-of-29 shooting to blow away the Falcons 90-52. BYU led by 40 points late in the second half. Hearing loud chants of “B-Y-U!” didn’t make the night any more pleasant.

“There’s nothing to say,” guard Evan Washington said. “We didn’t do a good job, especially in the second half, on the defensive end.”

Defensively, Air Force had reason to be displeased with its performance. BYU shot very well, but too many of those shots were open. The Cougars hit 15 3-pointers. Air Force has given up 87 3-point shots in 10 conference games. Only Wyoming has allowed more in league play.

“We have to do a better job contesting shots,” Falcons coach Jeff Reynolds said.

When the ball went down low, the Falcons dropped down to help, and that left shooters open. And the Cougars seemed to never miss.

“They can’t shoot the ball any better than they shot it,” Reynolds said.

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About this blog …

I'm Frank Schwab, Air Force beat reporter for The Gazette. I've been at the paper since 2003, and covered the Broncos for seven seasons. I covered the University of Wisconsin in the late 1990s, so I'm well versed in running football teams (Ron Dayne) and defensive basketball teams (Dick Bennett). I love to chat on www.twitter.com/GazetteAirForce, and will respond to comments and emails at frank.schwab@gazette.com.

For more coverage, visit The Gazette's Air Force Academy Sports page

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Franco says:

February 10, 2011 at 9:04 am

Under the guise of a Div I basketball Coach, Reynolds has managed to create several records in this program history…someone needs to bring to Dr. MUEH’S attention, they are all demoralizing records to this Academy program.
The only thing worse than a broken spirit…is having to watch week after week the leadership who is responsible for the deed! These Cadets deserve better than what Gen. Gould has permitted to occur inside Clune Arena the past three years.

When you have just as many opponent fans in your arena as Falcon fans, what sign is that Gen. Gould about the Academy basketball program? Count on four more seats to open up next season if Reynolds is present in this program next season, contract or not! Take it out of the good Doctor Mueh’s salary, he’s the bright light responsible for destroying this program.

rjp says:

February 10, 2011 at 9:43 am

Goodbye dude….you were not saying that last week when we were 4-5….goodbye…hope someone who ‘want’s’ to be a Falcon fan sits in those seats.

section 8(one of few left) says:

February 10, 2011 at 10:31 am

its tough to say fire him now. simply because there has been some improvement. that being sad there really was no place to go but up. the thing that bothers me about reynolds is that i have never seen him take any responsibility. At least not that has been posted in an article. What he says to his players and maybe to friends or media that is not reported i cannot comment on, but it would be refreshing to see him say,” You know what, we came in with a gameplan, it wasnt working and i failed to make corrections.” Seen more than one game where this is apparent(See UNM where we stayed in zone and got crushed all game). You are the lead man act like it.

February 10, 2011 at 11:04 am

Rjp…
I don’t know if you are aware, but HOPE….IS AN EXTREMELY POOR STRATEGY.

Goodbye…and uh, look around – 3400 empty seats per game. Be sure you contact all those who have already departed. You made me laugh..thanks!

Phil says:

February 10, 2011 at 1:05 pm

I like analogies, so this season is like a very mediocre to below average girl who brings her really ugly friends ie the 2010 and 2009 seasons with her to a club so she looks moderately better by comparison.

Al says:

February 10, 2011 at 10:35 pm

RJP – I know you are JR’s sister but come on do you have to be so defensive.

Worst game I’ve seen AF play since I first started attending games in 1996. So many open looks and unforced turnovers–BYU is good but come on man! The team put on a terrible performance caving in the face of challenge and JR and his staff had no ideas for how to respond.

I’ll never give up on the guys but last night was inexcusable.

Jeanelle says:

February 11, 2011 at 11:30 am

If you know someone is a bad-ass high scorer, where is the plan to shut him down? BYU shoots lights out – that is their thing!

Also, AF’s passing was just plain BAD. SHARP PASSES PEOPLE!

I really wanted to get up and leave because it was so painful to watch (and listen to those BYU fans) but I stayed to see Jimmer. He lived up to the hype!