The Horned Frogs men’s basketball team looks to bounce back from its first conference loss of the season as it heads to Colorado Springs, Colo. to face the Air Force Academy on Saturday.

The Horned Frogs lost to the Brigham Young University Cougars in Provo, Utah on Tuesday 73-61, dropping the Frogs to an 11-6 overall record and a 2-1 record in Mountain West Conference action.

Head coach Jim Christian said things won’t get any easier for his team on the second road trip of the week.

“It’s just mental, coming to play and understanding you have to compete for 40 minutes to have a
chance to win on the road,” Christian said. “I don’t think with BYU we played the game with enough confidence. We can’t afford to let it happen on the road.”

Junior guard Keion Mitchem said he needs to be more vocal and get his team more focused on the road.

“As far as my play on the court, I need to be more aggressive,” Mitchem said.

The Horned Frogs will have to work hard to exploit Air Force’s strong scoring defense. Coming into the game, the Falcons possess a 9-7 overall record, but it includes an 0-3 start in conference play.

Christian said the Horned Frogs will need to execute their offense well and play defense the best they can in order to beat the Falcons.

Freshman guard Ronnie Moss said the key for the Horned Frogs through the rest of conference play is to play defense and to become more disciplined.

“When we play disciplined, you tend to do a lot of things better when things just flow your way and play like the good team we know that we are,” Moss said.

The Horned Frogs will return home Jan. 21 to face the University of Wyoming Cowboys. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.