USAFA, Colo. – Three SIUE players scored in double figures Friday, but it came in a losing cause as SIUE men's basketball fell to host Air Force 77-63 in its first game at the Air Force Classic.  

Except for an early 3-2 advantage, the Cougars trailed throughout and fell to 3-3 with the loss. Air Force improved to 2-4 with the win.

The Falcons shot 48 percent (13-27) from the field in the first half and led 36-27 at the break.

The Cougars got out to an 11-4 start to open the second half and cut the Air Force lead to two at 40-38 after a Ring Malith three-pointer with 16:11 left in the game.

Air Force used the help of five SIUE turnovers to go on a 12-0 run to push the lead out to 55-40. The Falcons eventually stretched the lead to 17 twice late in the second half.

Malith led SIUE with 17 points. Myles Thompson and Jack Campion each scored 10 points for the Cougars, who shot just 39 percent (21-54) from the field for the game. The Cougars were just 5-20 (25 percent) from three-point range.

Eli Robinson scored 17 points to lead five Falcons in double figures. Caleb Walker scored 16. Lucas Hobin scored 12 points. Wesley Celichowski and Ethan Greenberg each added 10 points.

The Falcons were 23-for-54 shooting (43 percent) for the game and outrebounded SIUE 41-33.

SIUE will face Alabama State Sunday to close out its trip to the Air Force Academy.