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Burtschi's late layup helps Air Force reach NIT semis

Mar 22, 2007 - 6:39 AM COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Ticker) -- Jacob Burtschi made sure that Air Force's near-invulnerability at home resulted in a trip to New York City.

Burtschi's layup with six seconds left lifted the top-seeded Falcons into the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament with a 52-51 victory over No. 3 DePaul in the West Region.

Closing out play at Clune Arena with a 15-1 record, Air Force (26-8) advanced to face the winner of the South Region - top-seeded Clemson - in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

Looking for their second straight road win in the tournament, the Blue Demons (20-14) took a 45-41 lead on a layup in the lane by Sammy Mejia.

The Falcons, who were snubbed out of a second straight NCAA Tournament berth despite owning an RPI of 30, answered back with a 9-3 burst, pulling ahead, 50-48, on a 3-pointer by Dan Nwaelele with 2:20 remaining.

DePaul retook the lead moments later on a basket from the arc by Wilson Chandler.

Both teams then went scoreless for the next 1:50 until Burtschi took an assist from Tim Anderson and scored. Fouled on the play, Burtschi missed the ensuing free throw before the Blue Demons' Draelon Burns was off the mark on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Burtschi finished with 13 points and eight rebounds and Anderson also scored 13 for Air Force, which shot just 41 percent (21-of-51) but committed just four turnovers.

Burns had 18 points and Chandler added 12 and 10 boards for DePaul, which lost despite holding a 34-25 rebounding advantage.