Army Advances to Patriot League Quarterfinals

Tuesday, February 28

West Point, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

13-18

American (First Round)

8-22

AMERICAN

ARMY

Army Advances to Patriot League Quarterfinals

February 28, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team used a well-rounded performance here Tuesday night to take down American, 74-58, in the Patriot League Tournament First Round.

It was Army's second-straight postseason victory over the Eagles, and the Black Knights, who live to fight another day, improve their overall record to 13-18. American ends its season with a mark of 8-22. The Black Knights have now won four of their last five games.

The Cadets head to top-seed and Patriot League Regular Season Champions Bucknell on Thursday in the conference quarterfinals. That game is slated for 7 p.m. in Sojka Pavilion.

Army was solid from all aspects of the floor. The Black Knights assisted on 75 percent of their field goals, finishing with 21 assists on 28 made buckets. The Cadets also held the 35-28 edge on rebounds, while outscoring their guests 44-29 in the second half alone.

It was a one-point ballgame at the half with Army holding a 30-29 advantage. Three minutes into the second period it was still close as American's Charlie Jones converted on a layup to pull the Eagles to within 33-31. Army responded though with a 20-10 run over the next 10 minutes to increase its lead to double digits at 53-41. American was never able to recover and the Black Knights maintained the twin figure edge for the remainder of the contest.

Jordan Fox led the way for Army with his sixth 20-plus scoring night. The sophomore finished 7-of-11 from the floor, 5-of-9 from downtown and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line for a game-high 23 points. His five made treys matched his career high.

Luke Morrison was the only other Black Knight to reach double digits as he closed out his night with 11 points. Tommy Funk was one point shy of his first career double-double, finishing with nine points and a game-high 11 assists. He was also one helper short of matching his career-best in that category.

Mac Hoffman, Jacob Kessler and Matt Wilson added eight points each in the game with Hoffman and Kennedy Edwards leading the team on the boards with seven.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Head coach Jimmy Allen earned his first postseason victory at the division I level.
The Black Knights led wire-to-wire in the contest holding the advantage for 37:39. The game was tied for 2:21.
Army finished the contest shooting 54.9 percent (28-of-51) from the floor and 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from downtown. The Cadets also converted on eight of their 11 attempts from the free throw line for 72.7 percent shooting.
American went 36.8 percent (21-of-57), 30.4 percent (7-of-23) and 75 percent (9-of-12), respectively.
The Eagles held the 10-3 edge on steals and on turnovers at 9-14.
Army scored 32 points from inside the paint compared to 22 for American.
The Eagles also recorded the 18-11 advantage on points off turnovers, and the 9-4 edge on second-chance points, but the Cadets held the 11-2 lead on fastbreak points.
The Black Knights bench outscored American's 15-8.
There were three tie scores.
Army registered its largest edge in the game at 19 points on two different occasions. The Cadets last hit that mark with 1:06 remaining in the contest when Fox converted on two free throws.

TURNING POINT

It was a 30-29 Army lead at the break but the Black Knights quickly extended that edge to 53-41 following a 23-12 run with 7:22 remaining. The Cadets maintained that double digit lead throughout the remainder of the contest.

UP NEXT

The Black Knights travel to top-seeded and Patriot League Regular Season Champions Bucknell on Thursday night. That quarterfinal matchup is slated for 7 p.m. in Christl Arena and will be broadcast live on the Patriot League Network.
The Bison come into Thursday's game with an overall mark of 23-8.