LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The opening round of the men’s Mountain West Conference tournament began on Wednesday with the two lowest seeds, Wyoming and Air Force, trying to earn a chance to face MWC regular-season champion New Mexico on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the quarterfinals of the MWC women’s tournament are set and No. 4 Utah and No. 3 San Diego State are set to meet No. 1 TCU and No. 2 BYU, respectively, in the semifinals on Friday.

Here’s a rundown of the day: *No. 9 Air Force-59
No. 8 Wyoming-40*
Air Force eliminated Wyoming 59-40 in the No. 8-No. 9 game on Wednesday in the first round of men’s action, marking the second consecutive year the Falcons have pulled off an upset as the lowest seed.
Air Force finished the game shooting only seven free throws, second fewest in MWC tournament history.
In a defensive-minded game, offense played second fiddle.
Air Force head coach Jeff Reynolds said his team played its best defensive basketball game of the season.
“I think there were stretches that we were very solid,” Reynolds said. “You know, Desmar (Jackson) is so good at getting into the lane. I thought Avery Merriex came off the bench and did an outstanding job of forcing (Wyoming) to go side to side versus to the basket. I thought Mike McClain did a really good job, as well, as well as Grant (Parker).”
Parker, a senior, finished with 15 points, notching his 16th double-figure game of the season.

*No. 4 Utah-51
No. 5 New Mexico-45*
Utah dominated the overtime session and deflated the UNM women’s basketball team chances at an NCAA tournament bid.
The Utes advanced to the semifinals of the MWC women’s bracket and will duel with regular-season league champion TCU on Friday.

*No. 3 San Diego State 60
No. 6 Wyoming 51*
Wyoming’s Hillary Carlson notched her fifth double-double of the year, but it wasn’t enough to help the Cowgirls overcome San Diego State in the quarterfinals of the MWC women’s tournament.

The junior had 25 points, 17 of which came in the first half, and eight rebounds in a 60-51 loss to the Aztecs.
Wyoming head coach Joe Lergaski said Carlson’s effort was unmatched.

“Without Hillary tonight — in this game — we don’t have a chance in the last three minutes,” he said. “I thought she just shouldered this group, not only scoring-wise, but also with her ability to go get second chances. You look at these numbers, 25, 18 and 39 minutes for a post player to play in a very physical contest. She really demonstrated the caliber of player that she is.”

After a Coco Davis layup put San Diego State up by three, Jessika Bradley scored four straight points to extend SDSU’s lead to 54-49 with 2:11 left in the game.
Wyoming scored two points the rest of the way.