By GREG MENGELT

LAS VEGAS — Air Force’s season came to end Wednesday with an 83-56 loss to Utah State in the opening round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Falcons went 11-18 and won’t qualify for the postseason, but it was a strong collegiate debut season for Floyd Central graduate Jake Heidbreder. Heidbreder closed his freshman camapign with a 13-point performance and averaged 10.4 points for the season. He went 5 for 8 from the field, 2 for 4 from the 3-point line and made his only free throw attempt in Wednseady’s finale. He also had a rebound and an assist.

Sophomore guard Joseph Octave led the young Falcons with game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. The Utes (18-14), who will play 2-seed Colorado State (24-4) in Thursday’s quarterfinals, were led by 18 points from senior guard Brandon Horvath.