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No. 6 SDSU sets wins record, tops Air Force

Feb 19, 2011 - 11:10 PM Colorado Springs, CO (Sports Network) - Malcolm Thomas scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as sixth-ranked San Diego State set a school record for wins in a season by beating Air Force, 70-58, at Clune Arena.

Kawhi Leonard finished with 18 points and 15 boards for the Aztecs (27-1, 12-1 MWC), who have won seven straight since their lone loss at BYU last month and surpassed the 2008-09 squad's record of 26 victories.

"We expected a hard-fought game from a team that plays everybody tough," said San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher.

Michael Lyons had 18 points to pace the Falcons (13-12, 4-8), who have lost three in a row.

"I can't fault our guys. We played pretty good, we just didn't get a win," said Air Force head coach Jeff Reynolds.

Air Force made 54.2 percent of its shots from the floor in the first half and led by as many as seven before San Diego State closed to within 32-31 at the break.

The contest remained tight midway through the second frame, but the Aztecs, nursing a four-point lead, got some separation with a 15-4 surge. Thomas converted two free throws to cap the run and give the visitors their largest advantage of the game at 63-48 with 7:22 to play.

The Falcons pulled to within 64-56 before San Diego State sealed the win at the foul line.

Game Notes

Chase Tapley notched 10 points and eight rebounds for the Aztecs, who won despite shooting 35.1 percent for the game...Air Force shot just 23.1 percent in the second half...Derek Brooks had 15 points and Tom Fow scored 12 for the Falcons...San Diego State has now won a school-record 36 consecutive games against unranked teams.