It was a tale of two halves as Air Force fell to San Diego State on the road to open conference play and the Mountain West men’s basketball season. 

After taking a three-point lead at the half, the Aztecs (6-3) extended their lead to as many as 26 points in the second half to take down the Falcons 81-58 at Viejas Arena on Wednesday. 

The Falcons (3-9) have not won at Viejas Arena since 2005. San Diego State has won the last 12 matchups between the schools and 18 straight at Viejas Arena. 

Air Force struggled with scoring from the arc with 33% shooting (8-24) from 3 and shot 41% from the field. San Diego State shot 51% from the field after shooting 17-for-25 in the second half and shot 45% from the arc. 

“The issue is the other teams we play make 3s,” coach Joe Scott said on 740 KVOR postgame. “This team’s development is making our team look like the same team in both halves. Today that team in the second half was not the same as the first and I told them that’s developed in practice.”

“The energy has to be every day in practice. Once it’s every day in practice then this team will learn how to make itself look the same in both halves. Then, I believe, when that occurs we will become a better shooting team.” 

Kam Sanders led three Falcons in double digits with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists and BJ Davis led four Aztecs in double digits with 19 points, six assists but starting guard Miles Byrd was held to two points. Mountain West 2025 Freshman of the Year Magoon Gwath had 12 points and four rebounds. 

The Falcons saw a change in starting lineup with junior Kolby Gilles replacing freshman Lucas Hobin at forward to adapt to San Diego State’s tough defense. However, the Aztec defense was still hard to overcome with 15 Air Force turnovers, 10 in the second half.  

San Diego State burst out with a 5-0 lead to start the contest, but two 3s from Eli Robinson and Wes Celichowski started an 8-0 run for the Falcons while holding the Aztecs scoreless for nearly 5 minutes. A San Diego State 14-2 run helped the Aztecs retake the lead, but the Falcons cut San Diego State’s lead to 33-30 at the half. 

Air Force returns to Clune Arena on Jan. 30 to host Wyoming at 2 p.m. in the Falcons’ Mountain West home opener.