PARTY CENTRAL

Air Force players have said repeatedly in recent days that they don't want their season to end.

The Falcons played like it Monday night in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Air Force put together one of its best performances of the season, routing a bigger and more athletic Georgia team from the Southeastern Conference, 83-52.

The victory was the Falcons' 25th -- a school record -- and with it, Air Force advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. The top seed in the West Region, Air Force will play host to third-seeded DePaul of the Big East at 7 p.m. Wednesday with a trip to New York for the semifinals and final on the line. DePaul beat Kansas State 70-65 in the West Region's other second-round game Monday night.

Starting with Tim Anderson swooping in front of a Georgia player to steal the opening tip, Air Force was by far the hungrier, smarter and more aggressive squad Monday night. By midway through the second half, the Falcons had turned the game into a dunk-filled, fist- pumping party with the jubilant announced crowd of 5,698 at Clune Arena.

"We're going to make the most of the NIT," said senior forward Jacob Burtschi, whose team improved to 25-8. "There's nothing wrong with winning the NIT championship. Yeah, it's not the NCAA (Tournament), but you know what? I think, as of tonight, there's only 24 teams playing. And we're one of those 24."

Burtschi was referring to the eight teams left in the NIT and the 16 remaining in the NCAA Tournament. After watching the Falcons run circles around his team while on offense and fluster it while on defense, Georgia coach Dennis Felton said he thought Air Force belonged in the latter group.

"I think it's a major mistake that they're not in the NCAA Tournament," said Felton, whose team finished 19-14. "Not only do they belong, but I'm quite certain they would have advanced in the NCAA Tournament."

The Falcons, however, clearly have put the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament behind them. On Monday night, they made 56 percent of their shots from the floor -- their best shooting performance since Jan. 23 -- and limited the Bulldogs to 36.4 percent shooting. Air Force also forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded Georgia 29-28 despite a significant size disadvantage.

Burtschi led Air Force with 21 points and 10 rebounds -- his third double-double -- and Dan Nwaelele added 19 points and six boards. Air Force's other three starters -- Nick Welch, Matt McCraw and Anderson -- had nine points apiece.

Air Force went on a 13-0 run to build a 25-8 lead midway through the first half. The Falcons made 15 of 27 shots from the floor in the first half and did not commit their first turnover until more than 15 minutes into the game.

"We played well," coach Jeff Bzdelik said.

"I always look for something to yell at them about, and I couldn't find it there for a while."

Copyright 2007
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.