COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second time in as many nights, Western State Colorado University was leading a Division I opponent. Monday, the Mountaineers led the Air Force Academy 46-33 at halftime of the exhibition game. The Falcons made a second-half comeback to defeat Western 79-67.
 
Western (3-5, 1-1 RMAC) began the game with an offensive onslaught. The Mountaineers shot 59.36 percent (16-of-27) from the field in the first half. Of their 16 first-half made field goals, eight came beyond the three-point line.
 
With 10:34 left in the first half, the Mountaineers led the Falcons 27-4. It was the largest lead of the game for Western.
 
Collin Smith led the first-half charge for the Mountaineers, scoring 15 points in the first 20 minutes. Smith would lead Western in scoring with 17 points.
 
Air Force (5-3, 0-0 MWC) continued to claw their way back into the game, but at the break Air Force was down by 13 points.
 
The Falcons recovered at halftime and took control of the lead at the 10:52 mark of the second half.
 
With 5:03 left to play, it was only a two possession game as the Mountaineers trailed 61-67. However, the Falcons went on a 9-2 run over the next 3:21 to all but secure a victory.
 
Ben Beauchamp and Michael Hill also scored in double figures for Western. Beauchamp added 15, while Hill recorded 14 points.
 
The Mountaineers resume the regular season Friday night against Adams State University before traveling to Fort Lewis College on Saturday night.