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Air Force goes for 10th straight win in conference opener

Jan 3, 2007 - 4:14 PM No. 16 Air Force (13-1) at Colorado St (10-2) 8:35 pm EST

FORT COLLINS, Colorado (Ticker) -- Air Force goes for its 10th straight victory when it starts Mountain West Conference play against Colorado State on Wednesday.

The Falcons, who have not lost since dropping a 71-56 decision to then-No. 9 Duke, come off a 78-48 victory over Santa Clara on Friday in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic. Air Force, which finished second in conference play last season, sank 16 shots from 3-point range.

The Falcons went 16-of-30 from 3-point range while holding Santa Clara to only 5-of-21 (24 percent) from the arc.

Jacob Burtschi led Air Force with 16 points, and accounted for four of Air Force's 3-pointers, while Nick Welch, Matt McCraw and Andrew Henke all added 13 points. Burtschi is shooting 47.5 percent from 3-point range this season.

The Rams, who have dropped three straight vs. Air Force, have also lost seven of their last eight against the Falcons. Colorado State, which only won four of 12 league games last season, has not won the conference since the 1989-90 season.

Stephan Gilling scored 21 points on Saturday to lift the Rams over Chattanooga, 76-65, to win the Dr. Pepper Classic and extend their win streak to nine games.