Honolulu, HI (Sports Network) - Mike Fitzgerald scored a game-high 25 points
as the Air Force Falcons held off the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, 69-65, in the
first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Fitzgerald made 6-of-10 shots from beyond the arc and also collected nine
rebounds for Air Force (18-13). Kyle Green added 18 points and six assists.
Isaac Fotu had 24 points and nine rebounds off the bench and Christian
Standhardinger tallied 16 points and eight boards for Hawaii (17-15).
Air Force cam out firing and ran out to a 23-10 lead midway through the
first half. Hawaii would stage a comeback and ended up leading 34-31 at the
break with a 24-8 run to close out the period. Hawaii shot 51.9 percent from
the field in the contest but Air Force netted 8-of-18 shots from beyond the
arc.
After the break the Falcons continued to have success from long range as they
hit 7-of-13 shots from 3-point distance. Hawaii managed to register just eight
field goals but was within reach in the final minute. After Hauns Brereton
sank a pair of free-throws to pull the Rainbow Warriors within two points
Garrett Jefferson collected a steal with 33 seconds left. Brereton got a shot
from 3-point range off on the ensuing possession but it was off the mark
after which Fitzgerald sealed the contest with a pair of free-throws.
Hawaii managed a 36-32 edge on the boards in the loss. Air Force nailed 15
shots from beyond the arc to just five from the Rainbow Warriors.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network