Ferguson’s Double-Double Lifts Men’s Basketball

Saturday, February 13

Washington, D.C.

4 PM

Army West Point

15-11, 6-8PL

American

7-18, 5-9PL

Army West Point

American

Ferguson’s Double-Double Lifts Men’s Basketball

February 13, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Army West Point men's basketball team built a nine-point halftime lead it never relinquished in a 65-59 victory over American on Saturday afternoon at Bender Arena.

Kevin Ferguson's double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds paved the way for Army as it won its second straight game and swept the season series against American. The triumph improved Army to 6-8 in Patriot League play and 15-11 on the season.

The win gave Army 15 wins for the fourth straight year, marking the second time in Army history it has won at least 15 games in four consecutive seasons. The other group to accomplish the feat were the Army teams from 1920-24.

Army outrebounded American 41-27 and connected on 46 percent of its shots (23-of-50), while holding the Eagles to 36.8 percent from the floor (21-of-57). The Black Knights were 15-for-21 at the free throw line, as well.

Delante Jones scored 18 points, all in the second half, and was the lone American (7-18, 5-9 Patriot League) player to score in double figures.

In addition to Ferguson, Kyle Wilson scored 14 points and Tanner Plomb added 11 points and seven rebounds. Dylan Cox scored eight points, hauled in eight rebounds and handed out a game-high five assists. Larry Toomey chipped in six points, five rebounds and three assists.

American secured a 7-0 lead in the game's opening minutes before a layup by Ferguson put the Black Knights on the board. His bucket began a 12-2 run for Army that gave it its first lead before a corner three by Jalen Rhea tied the score at 12-12 midway through the half.

Army led 16-15 following a straightaway three-pointer by American's Paris Maragkos at the 7:47 mark before it scored the next eight points to take a 24-15 lead. The Black Knights held American without a point for the remainder of the half and took a nine-point lead into the break after scoring 24 of the final 32 points of the period.

The Eagles made 6-of-26 field goal attempts in the frame, including 3-of-13 from beyond the arc and Army grabbed 21 rebounds to American's 13. The Black Knights were 11-of-25 from the field, despite a 0-for-8 effort from beyond the arc. Ferguson led all scorers with 10 points at the break.

Jones ended the scoring draught (8:46) with a three-pointer a minute into the second half, but a Wilson three pushed the Army advantage back to nine (29-20) at 16:42. The triple was Army's first of the day after a 0-for-10 start from beyond the arc. The Black Knights finished the game 4-for-21 from distance.

Following a layup by John Emezie, American trimmed Army's lead to six points with baskets on consecutive trips surrounding an Army turnover. The Black Knights used a timeout with 14:10 to play before another turnover allowed James Washington to hit his second straight three and pull the Eagles within 31-28.

The Army lead was 38-34 before the pace increased and a run of eight straight Army points gave it a 12- point cushion. Transition threes by Plomb and Wilson on consecutive possessions highlighted the run. Minutes later, Army had a 50-35 lead on a Cox layup with 6:45 to play.

American trimmed the deficit to seven with a corner three by Rhea to cap a 13-5 run and started to get back in the game by sending Army to the free throw line. With less than 1:30 remaining, a steal led to a Jones layup that made it a five-point game (57-52). Needing an answer, Army countered with a wing three by Wilson that extended the lead to eight with 53 seconds left.

A deep three by Jones pulled the home side within four (61-57) with 31 seconds on the clock before Plomb missed two free throws on the other end. American quickly scored and fouled Cox, who made both of his shots with 19 seconds showing before a steal by Kennedy Edwards and Plomb's two-handed slam sealed the victory.

Army's next game is Wednesday night when it hosts Holy Cross at Christl Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.

Game Notes: American's 15 first-half points were the lowest for an Army opponent in any half this season … Ferguson registered his fourth consecutive double-double and the 12th of his career … it was the 16th double-digit rebounding performance of his career … Ferguson scored 20 points for the sixth time in his career … Ferguson passed Jason Wands '97 and is now seventh in Army history with 643 career rebounds … Tanner Plomb has scored in double figures in 30 straight games dating back to last season … Kyle Wilson passed Randy Cozzens '85 and is fourth in Academy history in scoring with 1,912 career points … Larry Toomey pulled down five rebounds and became the 15th player in Academy history to reach the 500-rebound mark for his career … Toomey is tied with Cozzens (14th) with 502 career boards … the Black Knights improved to 13-1 when leading at halftime this season … Army has won four straight games against the Eagles … the Black Knights moved to 9-5 on the road this season.