After taking a 15-point lead in the second half, Air Force was not able to hold on and suffered a 77-75 defeat to Southern Illinois in the season opener that was part of the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge.
When Zach Moer hit a pair of free throws to give the Air Force Falcons a 45-30 lead in the second half, it looked like Falcons would open the 2015-16 season in fine fashion with a road victory. But, the Southern Illinois Salukis would whittle away at the lead, and eventually would hold on for a 77-75 victory in the season openers for both teams.