RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Lock-down defense in the second half helped propel Air Force Personnel Center to a 47-15 victory over the 12th Security Forces Squadron Monday and a first-round bye in the Randolph intramural basketball playoffs.
AFPC, which led 18-10 at halftime, outscored Security Forces 29-5 in the second half to coast to the victory. Rick Langlois led AFPC with 13 points, followed by Ernie Banks with 11 and James Williams with eight.
Head coach Odell Sidberry said teamwork and reliance on defense helped AFPC finish the regular season with a 10-2 mark. The team will play a second-round game at 7:30 p.m. today against the winner of the clash between 12th Medical Group #2 and 12th Communications Squadron Wednesday.
"Our team is well-balanced," Sidberry said. "We have a lot of guys who enjoy playing the game, and everybody knows his role. We also play great defense. Our defense causes a lot of turnovers, and we're able to capitalize on that."
Williams set the tone in the second half when he stole the ball and drove the length of the floor for a layup to extend AFPC's lead to 20-10. His bucket was part of a 15-0 run that started late in the first half.
AFPC led 29-12 after a Security Forces basket finally ended the run, then promptly ran off 17 consecutive points - including three straight three-pointers - to take a 46-12 lead with about three minutes to go.
Sidberry said depth is another characteristic of AFPC.
"On any given night, anybody can step up," he said.
The team's balance is especially evident on offense.
"Offensively we take advantage of what the other teams give us," Sidberry said. "We can work it down low, but we also have excellent outside shooters."
AFPC tied 12th Medical Group #1 for best record in the Randolph intramural league, while the 562nd Flying Training Squadron finished at 6-6.
Other first-round games on Wednesday pitted 12th Medical Group #1 against 12th SFS and the 562nd FTS against the Fire Department.