Game of Runs Goes to Niagara, 77-71

Monday, November 27

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

3-2

Niagara

3-4

ARMY

Niagara University

Game of Runs Goes to Niagara, 77-71

November 27, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team saw Niagara earn a come-from-behind, 77-71, victory here Monday night.

With the outcome, the Black Knights had their winning streak halted at three games.

The Cadets led 53-43 with 14:18 remaining after Alex King converted on a layup. Unfortunately, the home team used an 11-0 run over the next six minutes to pull ahead, 54-53. A Jordan Fox layup a few minutes later though handed Army a slim 57-55 advantage with 6:34 left to play. But again, the Purple Eagles responded with another huge rally to ultimately put the game out of reach. Niagara's 22-14 run over the final six-and-a-half minutes was highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from James Towns and Marvin Prochet.

That final rally by the Purple Eagles capped an overall 34-18 run over the final 14 minutes as the home team outscored Army 44-31 in the second half. Army led by as many as 12 in the second period and held a 40-33 advantage at the break.

Fox led the Black Knights with a team-best 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor. He also finished 3-of-6 from downtown. This marked the third consecutive contest in which the Jackson County, Ky., native recorded 20 or more points.

Matt Wilson notched his second-straight double-double after registering 16 points and a career-best 12 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass. Tommy Funk handed out a game-high seven assists, while Fox, Funk and Babacar Thiombane posted one steal each.

Jacob Kessler and King chipped in seven points apiece to close out the top Black Knight contributors.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army shot better than Niagara from the floor and from long range. The Black Knights finished at 42.3 percent (30-of-71) from the floor and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from downtown. The Cadets struggled from the free throw line converting on just two of their seven attempts.
Niagara finished at 36.9 percent (24-of-65), 41.7 percent (10-of-24), and 63.3 percent (19-of-3), respectively.
The Black Knights saw two reach double-digit scoring, marking the first time this season Army did not have three or more in twin figures.
Luke Morrison had his nine-game 3-point scoring streak halted after going 0-of-3 from long range in Monday's game.
With his 21 points, Fox has now tallied double figures in each of Army's last 11 outings. The junior has also recorded 20 or more points in the Cadets' last three games.
Thiombane posted a career-high five rebounds, two points, two assists, three blocks and one steal.
Army scored 38 points from inside the paint compared to 26 for the home team.
Niagara held the edge on points off turnovers, 10-7; second-chance points, 17-10; and fast break points, 14-11
The Black Knights posted their largest lead at 45-33 with 17:56 remaining in the game after Wilson converted on a layup.
The Purple Eagles finished with three in double digits with Matt Scott leading the way with a game-high 25 points.

TURNING POINT

King handed Army a 10 point lead at 53-43 with 14:18 remaining in the contest. The home team sparked an 11-0 run though to take over the edge at 54-53 with 8:33 left to play. The Black Knights would not go away, pulling back in front at 57-55 two minutes later. Niagara answered with another strong 11-2 run to ultimately put the game out of reach. Army was never able to recover.

UP NEXT

Army continues its eight-game road trip against UMBC on Friday at the Papa John's Bulldog Bash, hosted by The Citadel. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m.
The Black Knights will then face either The Citadel or Marist on Dec. 2, with tip scheduled for either 3 or 5 p.m.
The Retrievers defeated Shenandoah on Monday, 88-59, prior to their meeting with the Black Knights.