Black Knights Fall on the Road to Merrimack

Wednesday, December 11

North Andover, MA

7 PM

Army West Point

4-5,0-0Patriot

Merrimack

6-5,0-0NEC

Army West Point

Merrimack

Black Knights Fall on the Road to Merrimack

December 11, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Army West Point men's basketball team dropped a non-league road tilt to Merrimack, 69-60, on Wednesday night.

The Warriors (6-5) opened the second half by shooting 6-for-7 from long range to build a double-digit lead that the Black Knights (4-5) were ultimately unable to overcome.

For Army, it was the captains Tommy Funk and Matt Wilson leading the charge as the senior duo combined for 36 points after putting up 18 apiece. Both showcased their scoring efficiency as Funk went 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from behind-the-arc, while Wilson went 7-of-10 from the floor.

Wilson used his size to his advantage and consistently crashed the glass to come away with 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Josh Caldwell also go involved in the scoring action, finishing with nine points.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Funk extended his double-digit scoring streak to five games.
Wilson reached double-figures in the scoring column for the seventh consecutive outing.
The senior notched the 13th double-double of his career.
Grayson dished out a career-best seven helpers.
Caldwell's nine points tied his season-best mark.
The Black Knights outrebounded the Warriors, 33-29.
Fifty-seven of Army's points came from inside the paint.
The Cadets assisted on 50 percent of their makes from the field.
It was the eighth time in nine outings that the Black Knights accomplished that feat.
Army was the first Division I opponent to play Merrimack at its home floor in its first season as a Division I program.
Army and Merrimack met for the first time since Nov. 26, 1976.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a rough shooting start from both sides to begin the game, but the scoring picked up in the latter half of the frame. Army led, 14-13, with 9:01 on the clock following a pair of Wilson foul shots, but Merrimack went ahead by five with six unanswered points. A 9-2 Black Knights' run ensued with Funk and Mann combining for all the scoring before the two teams went into the half even at 25-25.
The Warriors turned around a 1-for-11 shooting start from beyond-the-arc in the opening half by going 6-for-7 from deep over the first 11:04 of the second stanza. The deep ball allowed Merrimack to get out to 51-40 advantage.
Army made several attempts to chip into the double-digit deficit and got as close as eight on multiple occasions, but the Warriors seemed to always have an answer and ultimately were able to capture the home win.

UP NEXT
The Black Knights will remain on the road and head to Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tilt versus Buffalo.