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No. 15 Air Force can continue best-ever start vs. Utah

Jan 16, 2007 - 4:31 PM No. 15 Air Force (17-1) at Utah (5-12) 10:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik has his team believing anything is possible.

The 15th-ranked Falcons attempt to set a school record with their 14th consecutive victory Tuesday when they visit Utah in a Mountain West Conference matchup.

Bzdelik has guided Air Force to a 41-8 record since the start of the 2005-2006 campaign, including a trip to last season's NCAA Tournament. Off to the best start in school history, the Falcons are limiting their opponents to an average of 54.7 points.

Air Force is coming off Saturday's 58-56 triumph over Wyoming. Jacob Burtschi hit the game-winning basket at the buzzer to finish with 18 points, Dan Nwaelele added 13 and Tim Anderson 10 for the Falcons, who are 4-0 in conference play.

The Runnin' Utes have lost six in a row and seven of their last eight contests. They are 0-4 in conference play for the first time since 1952-1953 and have split their eight home games this season.

Trailing by as many as 15 points early in the second half, Utah rallied to force overtime before suffering an 86-82 loss to New Mexico on Saturday. Johnnie Bryant scored 19 points and Shaun Green added 14 for the Utes.

Air Force won both encounters with Utah last season.