Second-Half Shooting Struggles Hinder Army

Wednesday, December 6

Vestal, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

5-3

Binghamton

6-4

Army

Binghamton Univ.

Second-Half Shooting Struggles Hinder Army

December 06, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team dropped a 71-66 decision here Wednesday night at Binghamton.

The Black Knights struggled shooting the ball in the second half, finishing 13-of-37 (35.1 percent) from the floor and 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from long range. The Cadets closed out the night shooting 39.4 percent (26-of-66) from the floor and 35.0 percent (7-of-20) from downtown in the game. Both Army's final field goal percentage and 3-point field goals made were season lows.

Four managed to reach double-digit scoring, though, with rookie Alex King notching a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting to lead the team. He also drained both of his shots from behind-the-arc.

Joining him in twin figures was Matt Wilson and Jordan Fox, who posted 13 points apiece. John Emezie closed out the Black Knights' top scorers with 11 points. Senior Luke Morrison pulled down a team-best seven rebounds, including two on the offensive glass. Tommy Funk struggled shooting the ball Wednesday, but did manage to help in other ways. The sophomore dished out a game-high six assists, while compiling two rebounds and one steal.

The Cadets held a slim 28-26 advantage with 5:39 remaining in the opening half, but saw the home team spark a 12-6 run, including hitting back-to-back 3-pointers, to end the half and take a 38-34 lead into the break.

The Bearcats quickly extended their edge to a game-high 10 points just three minutes into the second half, but the Black Knights would not go away, keeping themselves within striking distance for much of the period.

With 3:49 left to play, Fox drained a trey to cut the lead to 61-57. The Black Knights then forced a five-second violation on the inbounds, which turned the ball over to Army in its offensive half. After a media timeout, the Cadets ran a play for Jacob Kessler, but the junior's 3-point attempted rattled in and out. The home team then responded with four-straight points, which ultimately put the game out of reach. Army did get the deficit down to four again two more times in the final minute of play, but was never able to complete the full comeback.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Binghamton finished the game shooting 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from the floor and 50 percent (8-of-16) from behind-the-arc. The Bearcats also converted on 15 of their 24 attempts at the free throw line for 62.5 percent shooting.
Army missed just two shots at the charity stripe for a solid 77.8 percent shooting.
The Cadets were outrebounded 37-30 but held the edge on assists at 17-8.
The Black Knights posted 30 points from inside the paint compared to 26 for Binghamton.
Army also held the lead on points off turnovers at 20-4, second-chance points at 11-6 and fast-break points at 6-2.
There were four lead changes, all coming in the opening half, and one tie score.
Binghamton was in front by its largest margin at 10 points on two different occasions.
Army led for 3:18. Binghamton controlled the lead for 36:09. The game was tied for 33 seconds.

TURNING POINT

After being down by as many as 10 points early in the second half, Army strung together five-straight points to pull within 61-57 with 3:49 remaining. The Black Knights then forced their second-consecutive turnover to hand them the ball back on their own side of the court.
Following a media timeout, the Cadets ran a play for Kessler, who found himself in the right corner. The junior had a good look but unfortunately his shot didn't fall. The Bearcats answered with a 4-0 run to create a 65-57 gap between the teams.
Army pulled within four, two more times, but weren't able to get any closer.

UP NEXT

Army is coming to the midway mark of its eight-game road trip, traveling to Wake Forest on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Demon Deacons defeated Charlotte, 80-57, on Tuesday prior to welcoming the Cadets.
They then have the next week off after their meeting with Army and return to the court on Dec. 18 with a road contest at Costal Carolina at 7 p.m.