Coming off Air Force’s first win of the season, there was a different energy among the young men’s basketball team.

The Falcons used that energy as fuel to top Ohio Valley Conference champion SIU Edwardsville 77-63 in front of a home crowd and full cadet student section Friday.

It’s the Falcons first win streak since they won six in a row early in the 2023-2024 season. 

“That win helped us have more confidence and energy as a team,” freshman Lucas Hobin said. “We always knew we had the pieces, the people to get wins and we just continue to get better every day, which has been helpful for us.”

The Falcons led for all but one minute of the game. Air Force built a dominant 36-27 lead at the half, but SIUE managed to cut the Falcons advantage to two early in the second half. Air Force responded by holding the Cougars without a field goal for seven minutes in the second half to top SIUE and take the win in the first of two games in the Air Force Classic. 

Air Force hosts IU Indianapolis in the second game of the Classic on Sunday at 3 p.m. This was just the second time the Falcons played the Cougars, the first was in 1983, which was a 59-51 Air Force win. 

“It was a great game, we stayed together, stayed composed,” Robinson, who had his first career double-double, said. “When they cut it to two we just kept fighting and extended the lead and down the stretch stayed solid on defense and made free throws.

“It feels good to win and gives us confidence. We are a young team so finally getting in the win column feels really good. It instills confidence in what we are doing and just hope to keep building on it on Sunday.”

Air Force’s 63 points allowed is a season-low, and the Falcons outrebounded an opponent for the fourth time and second-straight this season. The Falcons grabbed 41 rebounds while the Cougars had 33. The Falcons shot 43% from the field and 24-for-33 (73%) from the free-throw line, a season-high.  

However, the Falcon’s season-low 10 turnovers was perhaps the biggest factor in Air Force’s win. 

“We took care of the ball,” coach Joe Scott said. “We made fouls today. One position at center … that’s a starting point. The defense was terrific, the activity level seems to get better and better.”

Air Force had a standout performance on offense with five players in double digits, led by Eli Robinson with 17 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Caleb Walker almost notched his second double-double with 16 points, nine rebounds, and Wes Celichowski and Ethan Greenberg had 10 points apiece. 

“Everyone is bonding well and buying into their role,” Hobin said. “Whether playing or not, everyone comes to practice everyday to work hard. Everyone wants what’s best for each other which is what you want in a team and helps get wins.”

After SIUE managed to cut Air Force’s lead to two (40-38) early in the second half, the Falcons quickly recovered with a 10-0 run over five minutes to jump ahead 55-40, forcing five turnovers during that stretch. Air Force went on to lead by as many as 17 points (75-58) but went without a field goal for the last three minutes. 

“Its hard to be 2-0. 3-0 is harder,” Scott said. “It means more, giving more. Every game is different. It’s hard to win, every team poses different challenges. For a young team, how are we going to respond? Sunday will be a completely different game and challenge our experience level.”

The Falcons hope to build off Friday’s dominant win into Sunday, albeit a short turnaround. They’ve tasted the high of winning, and will do what it takes to keep it going. 

“Last time we had to fight, scratch and claw to win and today I saw a team that took to heart what I said which is that it will be harder,” Scott said. “I saw a team that knows they are growing up but getting better. They are starting to have confidence in the team and each other.”