LEXINGTON, Va. -- D.J. Covington had 20 points and seven rebounds and QJ Peterson added 19 buckets and six rebounds to pilot VMI to its first All-Military Classic championship in three tries, beating Air Force 71-63.

After a Tre Coggins 3-pointer pulled Air Force to within four at 24-20 with 4:45 in the half, VMI went on a 15-5 tear to seize a 14-point halftime lead. Air Force had only one field goal in the remaining 4:45 of the half.

VMI pushed the lead to 21 in the second half and was able to fend off the Falcon's rally to win by eight.

QJ Peterson had his second straight four-steal game for the Keydets and was named the tournament MVP.

Marek Olesinski had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Falcons.

Air Force was the two-time defending champions of the tournament.

This marks the first in-season tournament championship for the Keydets since 1978.