Michael Lyons scored 20 points, Taylor Broekhuis had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds and the Air Force Falcons defeated the VMI Keydets, 75-65, to win the first annual All-Military Classic Saturday night in Colorado Springs, Colo.
VMI (1-1) was led by Ron Burks, who had 15 points, while Keith Gabriel chipped in 14 and Michael Sparks went 5 for 5 from the floor, adding 13 points. Air Force’s (2-0) Lyons was named the Tournament MVP, while Gabriel and Rodney Glasgow were also named to the All-Tournament Team.
Lyons had the first five points for Air Force, and the host Falcons streaked out to a 13-6 lead just under five minutes into the contest. The Keydets missed five of their first seven shots, but gradually chipped away. After Lyons hit a triple at the 13:26 mark, putting AFA up 16-8, VMI launched a 13-0 run that included three treys, one each by Sparks, Gabriel and Stan Okoye. That push gave the Keydets a 21-16 edge with 10:06 left in the half, but that would prove to be the visitors’ largest lead of the evening.
Less than two minutes later, the Falcons regained the advantage, 22-21, on a Kamryn Williams trey. That would be one of the key shots in a game-turning run, as it helped ignite a 17-0 march for the home team. Adam Brakeville capped the run with a dunk at the 4:38 mark, and the Falcons had a 33-21 lead.
VMI went on to score the next five points, pulling back within seven, but Air Force scored five of the final seven points of the half and took a 38-28 lead to halftime. The Falcons had an 18-4 edge in points in the paint, helping them to the 10-point advantage.
Air Force quickly stretched its lead in the second half, scoring five of the first six points to take a 15-point cushion, 44-29. That margin grew to 19 on a three by DeLovell Earls, and the home team led 53-34 with 12:36 to play, but the Keydets battled back. Ron Burks hit a three-pointer at 12:07, and after more than a minute without a bucket, Gabriel scored on a dunk to cut the lead to 14.
Lyons stopped the run with a three-point play, but Gabriel hit a three-pointer and Burks scored three straight points, capped by a free throw with 9:10 left. That made it 58-45, and a jumper by Jordan Weethee cut the lead to 11. Burks then scored with 7:30 to go, capping the run and pulling VMI back within single digits for the first time in the half, 58-49.
Air Force then notched four of the next six points, but Sparks hit a three with 5:44 to go, and it was an eight-point game, 62-54. That would be as close as the Keydets would get the rest of the way, as Air Force was able to hold off the rally attempt and preserve the Championship victory.
The Falcons shot 50% from the field (28 of 56) en route to the win, while holding VMI to 22 of 56 (39.3%). Thanks in large part to Broekhuis’ effort, Air Force held a decisive 38-16 edge in points in the paint.
VMI will return to action Tuesday, playing host to Alice Lloyd College in the Keydets’ home opener. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
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