Kessler’s Career Marks Help Lift Army

Wednesday, February 15

Worcester, Mass.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

10-17, 4-11PL

Holy Cross

13-15, 7-8PL

Army West Point

Holy Cross

Kessler’s Career Marks Help Lift Army

February 15, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team ended a three-game skid with a thrilling 52-47 victory at Holy Cross here Wednesday night.

Jacob Kessler was the man of the night, notching a career high in points and rebounds. The sophomore finished 6-of-9 from the floor, 3-of-6 from behind-the-arc and 2-of-2 at the free throw line for a team-best 17 points. He added nine rebounds, including three on the offensive glass to lead the Black Knights in that category as well.

Jordan Fox added 10 points, while Matt Wilson chipped in nine after going 4-of-5 from the floor and 1-of-2 at the charity stripe. Rookie Tommy Funk dished out a team-best four assists to go along with John Emezie's two steals and two blocks.

Army held the 32-25 edge at the break but an 8-0 run from the home team to start the second half quickly erased any deficit and handed Holy Cross the one-point lead at 33-32.

A little more than 10 minutes later, Emezie converted on a layup with six minutes left to hand Army the 46-39 advantage. Neither team scored over the next four minutes until the Crusaders sparked an 8-3 run to make it a two-point game at 49-47 with 34 seconds remaining. A few ticks later, Funk converted on 1-of-2 at the charity stripe to keep it a one possession game. The Crusaders then worked the clock down to 13 seconds when Patrick Benzan found an opening and tried to lay it in. Emezie came from behind though and blocked his attempt before Fox grabbed the rebound ultimately securing Army the victory.

Holy Cross quickly fouled Fox and the sophomore calmly stepped to the line and finished off both free throws to hand the Black Knights the five-point win.

The Cadets ended a three-game slide and improve to 4-11 in the Patriot League. They also notched their 10th win of the season, making it 11-straight years in which the Black Knights have recorded 10-plus wins in a year. Holy Cross dips to 7-8 in the league and 13-15 overall.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Cadets finished the night shooting 38.3 percent (18-of-47) from the floor and 30.8 percent (8-of-26) from downtown. They also went 8-of-12 from the free throw line for 66.7 percent shooting.
Holy Cross closed out its night at 32.6 percent (15-of-46), 20 percent (5-of-25) and 70.6 percent (12-of-17), respectively.
Army is now 2-5 when two or fewer Black Knights score in double figures.
The Cadets committed a season-high 22 turnovers.
Both teams notched 20 points from inside the paint but the Crusaders recorded the 19-8 edge on points off turnovers.
Army held the 14-2 edge on second-chance points but Holy Cross converted six points on fast break opportunities to zero for the Black Knights.
There were three tie scores and five lead changes.
Army held its largest lead of the game at 49-41 with 1:35 remaining after Funk hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line.
The Cadets were in front for 31:19. Holy Cross led for 6:55. The game was tied for 1:46.
Army's last field goal came with six minutes remaining.

TURNING POINT

The Black Knights held a 32-25 edge at the break but a quick 8-0 run from Holy Cross to start the second half erased any deficit and handed the home team a one-point advantage. Army responded though with a 14-6 run of their own to pull back in front at 46-39.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Army built a 14-8 edge with 12:25 remaining in the opening period.
Holy Cross answered with eight of the next 10 though to knot the score at 16-all.
The Crusaders eventually pulled in front at 23-22 with 5:24 left to play before the break.
Army responded with back-to-back treys from Fox and Kessler to take back the lead at 28-23. Those two buckets sparked a 10-2 run to close out the half for the Cadets and hand them a 32-25 advantage heading into the locker room.
Holy Cross started the second half on an 8-0 run to erase the deficit and take a one-point lead with 16:56 remaining in the game.
Army answered with a 14-6 run though to hold a 46-39 edge with six minutes left on the clock.
Neither team scored over the next four minutes until Robert Champion ended the drought with two free throws to pull the Crusaders within 46-41.
Three-straight points from Army, however, handed the Black Knights their largest lead of the game at 49-41 with 1:35 remaining.
Holy Cross then sparked a 6-0 run of their own to make it a 49-47 ballgame with 34 ticks on the clock.
Army was then able to go 3-of-4 at the charity stripe in the final seconds to secure the win.

UP NEXT

Army remains on the road Saturday when it heads to service-academy rival Navy for the teams' annual Star game. That contest is set for 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
It will be the second time this season these two nemesis meet as the Mids took the teams' first meeting back on Jan. 21 The Black Knights forced that contest into overtime after outscoring the Mids 17-7 in the final 1:16, but Navy ultimately took the victory 96-80.
Navy dropped a 74-55 decision at Lehigh on Wednesday and it heads into Saturday's contest with a 10-5 mark in conference play.