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Air Force’s Ethan Taylor ends career on high note despite loss to UNLV in first round of Mountain West Tournament | Sports
As senior Ethan Taylor walked off the court in his last game in an Air Force uniform, the crowd in the Thomas & Mack Center stood up and cheered.
Taylor took a moment to soak up the scene before receiving hugs and handshakes from teammates and coaches.
“I wanted to take it all in and appreciate all the hard work over the years,” the Houston native said.
Those who know Taylor and his historic career as a Falcon were witnessing the final game of an all-time great, and he couldn’t have gone out with a more electric performance.
Despite Air Force’s 68-59 loss to UNLV in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Taylor gave the arena a performance to remember, putting up seven 3s — three just in the first half — to lead the game with 23 points.
“I was happy for him,” Falcon coach Joe Scott said. “We’ve rewarded him and recognized his play throughout the year. He showed he’s a good player, and we need more guys to step up that way. I couldn’t ask for more from Ethan this season.”
With such an impressive season that included a school-record 121 career starts and All-Mountain West third-team honors, it doesn’t seem like the right ending for the senior. Despite the loss, Taylor and fellow senior Jeffrey Mills have left a mark on the young team that includes 10 freshmen.
“When we’ve gone through what we have gone through over the last three years since rules changed, it’s been hard, but those guys have given what they have and been good leaders in that way,” Scott said. “I was concerned on Monday with energy, but we had way better practice on Tuesday, and it’s because of those two guys.”
During the postgame press conference, Taylor sat next to Mills, who he has played with the past five years starting at the Air Force Academy prep school.
Game analysis and insights from The Gazette sports staff including columns by Woody Paige and Paul Klee.
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It was a sentimental moment for the two, who grinned at each other while reflecting on their last game. To stay at one college for all four years is rare in today’s landscape, but the seniors’ commitment to their school and teammates is undeniable.
While the Falcons did not finish their season how they had hoped, Taylor is optimistic about the program.
“I hope they come every day ready to give it their all,” Taylor said. “It’s a really good team to have it all come together. If you have guys putting in 100% — if the younger guys band together — they can accomplish good things.”
REBELS 68, FALCONS 59
What happened: Air Force had a 25-21 lead into the second half, the fewest points the Falcons have allowed in a half at a Mountain West tournament since 2003, when Utah had 18. The Falcons (4-28, 1-20 Mountain West) led by as many as eight in the second half but saw that lead quickly diminish after a 19-0 UNLV run. Despite 23 points by Ethan Taylor, Air Force was knocked out of the first round of the Mountain West Tournament and is 0-7 against the Rebels (18-14, 12-9 MW) in tournament play. The Rebels face No. 3 Utah State on Thursday.
What went right: Both teams struggled with getting the ball in the basket in the first half, with UNLV shooting 24% from the field. While the Falcons shot 32% in the first half, they managed to keep turnovers low, allowing just four turnovers in the first half. Air Force led the game for 26 minutes.
What went wrong: The game got away from Air Force after allowing a 19-0 run with six minutes remaining in the contest. UNLV led by as many as 13 points (66-53) in the second half. After containing UNLV to 21 points in the first half, the Rebels finished with four players in double digits, led by Jalen Hill with 18 and ended the game shooting 45%.
Highlight of the night: Taylor balling out in his final career game. The senior shot 11 of Air Force’s first 15 points, including three 3-pointers. He continued his hot streak in the second half, adding four more threes to total 23 points and six rebounds. The arena gave him a round of applause as he left the court for the last time. A fantastic finish for an Air Force all-time great.
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