A 21-0 Spurt Carries Air Force Past USIU; 4 Ejected

A 21-0 scoring streak in the second half helped the Air Force Academy men’s basketball team defeat U.S. International University, 89-68, Tuesday night at Colorado Springs.

USIU (6-11) led, 48-47, with 13:57 to play, but Air Force scored the next 21 points to put the game out of reach.

That streak was interrupted by a fight that ended with four players being ejected, including the scoring leaders for both teams. With 9:19 left, Air Force’s Matt Sobolewski was fouled by Russ Heicke. A fight began and eventually spread to both benches. Heicke and Matt Judd of USIU and Mike Hammond and Mike Lockwood of Air Force were ejected.

“I thought it was a good game up to that point,” USIU Coach Gary Zarecky said. “I have no feeling against Air Force. We just got beat.”

Heicke and Hammond each scored 22 points before they were ejected. USIU’s Steve Smith also scored 22.

USIU shot only 36.8%, including 5 of 16 three-point shots.

Air Force (6-4) has won three in a row. Air Force’s Sean Giles, a former University of San Diego High School star, had eight assists, two more than USIU.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Carol Owens had 23 points and 12 rebounds as Northern Illinois defeated the University of San Diego, 79-69, in a nonconference game at the USD Sports Center.

The statistics were about even in every category except field goals. Northern Illinois made 35 of 64, USD 30 of 64. Northern Illinois led, 41-32, at halftime.

Center Christi English had 17 points and 11 rebounds and teammate Jane Gilpin scored 19 for USD (4-8). Lisa Foss led Northern Illinois (4-7).

GOLF Professional golfers who finished 1987 ranked No. 1 in each of 10 statistical categories will compete in the 9-hole Epson Stats Match Monday at the La Costa Hotel & Spa. The two fivesomes will tee off at 9 a.m.

The event, a prelude to the $500,000 MONY Tournament of Champions and $100,000 MONY Senior Tournament of Champions Jan. 14-17, is free.

An 18-hole pro-am featuring all 50 pro qualifiers will be Jan. 13 starting at 9 a.m.

The main event features 50 tournament winners, including 38 in the MONY Tournament of Champions and 12 in the MONY Senior Tournament of Champions.