GAME NOTES: The Air Force Falcons will wrap up a five-game homestand on Monday night when they battle the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in non-conference action at Clune Arena.

Since starting the season 0-3, the Gamecocks have gone 7-2 in their last nine games, with their last contest being a 69-60 loss at the Northern Colorado Bears on Saturday. Jacksonville State now sits at 7-5 on the season.

After winning the first three games of their five-game homestand, the Falcons fell to UC Davis on Saturday, 81-75. Air Force's 3-1 mark during these consecutive home games has elevated its overall record to 6-4.

The two sides have met just once in their programs' history. The game was held ten years ago at the 2004 BCA Classic in Milwaukee, WI, with the Falcons knocking off the Gamecocks, 59-42.

Reserve D.J. Felder scored 16 points for the Gamecocks in their loss at Northern Colorado. Jacksonville State's Darion Rackley (15 points) and JaQuail Townser (10 points) also finished in double figures. After shooting an impressive 50.0 percent from the field in the first half, the Gamecocks only converted 40.7 percent of their field-goal attempts in the final 20 minutes, which included a 2-of-8 mark from 3-point range. JSU didn't defend Colorado State very well, as the Bears shot 53.1 percent from the field and outscored the Gamecocks on points in the paint (44-16). JSU was tied with the Bears 60-60, with 3:05 left in the game, but allowed Northern Colorado to go on a 9-0 run to seal the victory.

Rackley has led the Gamecocks in scoring this season with 13.6 ppg, making him the ninth best scorer in the Ohio Valley Conference. Jeremy Watson has been JSU's second best scorer with 10.3 ppg, and its top rebounder with 7.7 rpg. Jacksonville State has not been shooting the ball well this season, as it is connecting on only 38.8 percent of its field goal tries, the lowest percentage in the OVC. The Gamecocks' 65.6 ppg and 29.9 3-point shooting percentage both rank 10th out of 12 in their respective categories in the OVC. JSU has however held opponents to just a 29.6 3-point shooting percentage, which ranks them first in the OVC for 3-point field-goal percent defense.

Trevor Lyons led four Falcons in double figures with 18 points in the loss to UC Davis. The other three players were Kamryn Williams (17 points), Matt Mooney (16 points), and reserve Zach Kocur (16 points). Williams also pulled in 14 rebounds to tally a double-double on the night and also led the team in assists with six. The Falcons shot 41.9 percent from the field and couldn't get their 3-point shooting going, as they only connected on 25.9 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc. Air Force struggled defensively, allowing UC Davis to convert 52.1 percent of its tries from the field.

The Falcons' leading scorer this season has been Max Yon, who is currently averaging 14.7 ppg. Williams has been the second best scorer (9.0 ppg) and best rebounder (6.0 rpg) for Air Force. The Falcons have played well offensively, as they average 71.2 ppg (2nd in the Mountain West Conference), and convert 49.6 percent of their field goals (3rd in the MWC), including 39.2 percent of their 3-point attempts (2nd in the MWC). They've also played good defense, holding opponents to just 60.0 ppg (4th in the MWC), and 40.4 percent shooting from the field. Air Force is currently ahead in the scoring margin (+11.2) and rebounding margin (+4.3). The Falcons also average the most assists per game in the MWC with 16.9 apg.

Although the Falcons have only won games against weak competition, the Gamecocks likely won't pose a threat given their poor offensive output. Look for Air Force to get back on track and end its homestand with a triumph.