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No. 20 Air Force takes aim at struggling Norfolk State

Dec 13, 2006 - 2:54 PM Norfolk St (1-4) at No. 20 Air Force (10-1) 9:00 pm EST

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Ticker) -- Air Force has taken advantage of lesser opponents to open with a dominant start for the second straight season.

The 20th-ranked Falcons look for their 11th win in 12 games and their 23rd consecutive home victory Wednesday when they meet Norfolk State for the first time.

Air Force opened last season by winning 14 of its first 15 en route to a school-record 24 victories and a trip to its second NCAA Tournament in three years. This season, the Falcons have limited their opponents to 54.5 points.

Jacob Burtschi scored 10 points for Air Force in Saturday's 82-31 route of Division III Colorado College. The Falcons yielded a school-record six first-half points, an NCAA low since 1985-1986, when the shot clock was introduced.

Twelve players scored for Air Force, which forced 25 turnovers and held Colorado College to 26 percent (10-of-39) shooting from the floor to win its 30th straight home game against non-conference opponents.

Playing the second contest of a nine-game road trip, Norfolk State opened with three losses followed by its lone win of the campaign against Hampton on November 28.

Norfolk State has not played since a 77-64 loss to Florida Atlantic on December 2. Tony Murphy scored 14 points and Rashid Cann added 12 against the Owls.