ANDERSON TAKES PRIDE IN KNOWING SAN DIEGO STATE STRUGGLED, TOO

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 14, 2008 | by JAKE SCHALLER

LAS VEGAS - As downcast and dejected as Air Force senior Tim Anderson was following the Falcons' 53-49 loss to San Diego State on Thursday, the question made him chuckle.

Did you ever think you'd be involved in a game where a team would score four baskets in the second half and win?

"I didn't know that," Anderson said, with a slight smile. "But that just is a testament to how tough of a game it was."

Air Force trailed 39-30 after a bucket by the Aztecs' Richie Williams with 16:07 to play. During the next 13 minutes, 47 seconds, San Diego State went 0 for 9 from the field, turned the ball over five times and scored just six points on free throws. Air Force scored 16 in the stretch to take its only lead of the game.

"Realistically Air Force is going to be the most difficult game on your schedule," San Diego State junior forward Lorrenzo Wade said. "You are not accustomed to scoring 17 points in a half and maybe 30, 40 points in a game, but that's their style of play. That's what they do."

Wade said, however, the Aztecs benefited from playing Air Force in both teams' regular season finale on Saturday.

"We understood what we were facing and it didn't catch us off guard," he said.

Formidable foul shooting

In a 46-43 loss at Air Force on Saturday, San Diego State made 9 of 18 free throws.

Just five days later, the Aztecs made 20 of 22 (90.9 percent -- the third-best mark ever in a MWC Tournament game), including all eight in the final 3:03.

San Diego State coach Steve Fisher called it "the difference between moving on and going home."

Henke's contribution

Air Force junior Andrew Henke had 16 points, the eighth time in nine games he scored in double-figures.