Air Force basketball eases past Lindenwood behind strong start, Ethan Taylor’s 21 points
Air Force got off to its quickest start in the 2023-24 season in Thursday’s game against Lindenwood, and the energy from it never wore off.
The Falcons scored the game’s first five points, led by double digits at halftime and won 76-58.
The game was the first of three for the Falcons at the Air Force Classic, a four-team round-robin midseason tournament.
“We were getting good shots up and got momentum from that,” junior guard Jeffrey Mills said.
Air Force took control in the game’s opening minutes.
After beginning on a 5-0 run, the Falcons led 16-5. Lindenwood got within five points later in the first half, but that’s the closest the Lions got.
Air Force’s early lead forced Lindenwood to enter panic mode. And as a result, the Falcons went to the free-throw line — a lot.
Throughout the game, Air Force went 28 of 39 from the free-throw line. The 28 made free throws are Air Force’s most in a game since 2017.
“If he can keep playing with that energy, he’ll find his shots,” Air Force coach Joe Scott said. “But also, they’ll be working to stop him from getting shots and fouls will occur.”
The Falcons’ offense didn’t only come from the free-throw line, though. Air Force shot at a respectable 45.5% clip from the field and went 8 of 17 from three.
Ethan Taylor, a junior guard, scored a team-high 21 points. Thursday was Taylor’s third game in a row eclipsing 20 points, and he is averaging 21 points per game through four contests.
“It’s just confidence from my teammates and coaches,” Taylor said. “I’m trying to improve my shot selection and know which shots to take.”
Three other Falcons finished in double figures. Jeffrey Mills, Beau Becker and Chase Beasley scored 17, 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Air Force improves to 2-2 with the win. Thursday’s victory was the Falcons’ first at home for the 2023-24 season.
The Falcons have been without Rytis Petraitis — Air Force’s leading rebounder from last year — for all four games. Even with Petraitis absent, the Falcons have been competitive in every game and won two (against Long Island and Lindenwood) fairly easily.
Taylor and Scott both are confident in how the team has played without one of its most veteran players.
“I’m loving it,” Taylor said. “It sucks having Rytis out, but we’re giving lots of guys new experiences. Right now, it’s about getting confidence and experience.”
Scott added, “I hope it gives our guys confidence in terms of what we’re doing. The amount we’ve improved, the amount that our team has come together … the guys know it.”
Next for the Falcons at the Air Force is William & Mary on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Air Force finishes the tournament at 2 p.m. on Sunday against Omaha.
Air Force forward Beau Becker scrambles for the ball with Lindenwood forward David Ware during a game at Clune Arena on Thursday, Nov. 16. Air Force won the game 76-58.
From left, Falcons guard Jeffrey Mills fights for the ball with Lindenwood guard Nathan Johnson and forward Colin Ruffin during the first half Thursday at Clune Arena on the Air Force Academy.