Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
8-7,2-0Patriot
Lafayette College
2-13,0-2Patriot
Men’s Basketball Beats Lafayette, Begin Conference Play 2-0
January 02, 2023 | Men's Basketball
EASTON, Pa - The Army West Point men's basketball team (8-7, 2-0 PL) defeated the Lafayette College Leopards (2-13, 0-2 PL) with a final score of 82-65 Monday night. The Black Knights had 3 players reach double figures, Jalen Rucker led Army with 21 points, Charlie Peterson had 13 and Chris Mann had 10 points.
How It Happened
Army began the new year on fire from three-point distance, making 12-18 (66.7%) in the game. Junior Jalen Rucker led Army with 21 points, including 4-5 from three-point.
In the first half, Black Knights defense dominated the paint holding the Leopards to 14-30 from the field.
In the first half of the competition the Army struck first with Chris Mann putting the Black Knights up 4-0. With 17:23 on the clock, Coleton Benson had a three-pointer putting the Black Knights up by five. Lafayette responded with a layup by Kyle Jenkins. Rucker connected with a three-point shot of his own extending the Black Knights lead by five points.
With 12:16 left in the first half the Black Knights began to expand their lead going on a 7-0 run with a three-point bucket from Jaden Ellis, a free throw from Rucker, as well as a three from Mann. More than halfway through the first half, Army created another double-digit lead. With 5:39 left in the half Jared Cross had a jumper helping the Black Knights extend their lead by 13. Cross further extended Army's lead with a layup with 32 seconds left in the half, Lafayette's Jenkins cut into Army's lead after making a 3-point shot with one second left in the first half. In the first half, Black Knights defense dominated the paint holding the Leopards to 14-30 from the field.
In the second half Lafayette acted first with a layup from Jenkins. However, Mann responded in kind with a three-point bucket. Josh Rivera made a jumper in the paint making it 60-43. With 15:58 on the clock, Jared Cross had a three-point play after making a layup and getting fouled by Jenkins. After making the free throw attempt Army had a 20-point lead.
Jalen Rucker left where he left off with and extended the Black Knights lead to 19 after making another three-point bucket. Lafayette stayed in the fight and continued to cut into Army's lead, with Josh Rivera making a layup putting the Leopards down 17 points. Coming off the bench with 14:38 on the clock, sophomore Isaiah Caldwell made a buzzer beater three-pointer again putting Army up by 21 points.
Lafayette continued to cut into the Black Knights commanding lead. The Leopards went on a 5-0 run with Rucker ending their run with a fast break jump shot keeping Army up by 15. Continuing to add onto their lead, both Peterson and Rucker made their respective layups further extending Army's dominating 20-point lead.
Rucker made his final two of the day putting Army up by 18 points. With 45 seconds left in the game, Lafayette's Devin Hines attempted a three-pointer that was rebounded by Rucker. With their solid defense, the Black Knights defeated Lafayette and are now 2-0 in Patriot League action.
Inside the Box
- Jalen Rucker led the Black Knights with 21 points, tying his season high (Stonehill, 11/12/22).
- Rucker's four three-point makes was a season best.
- Charlie Peterson had 13 points and seven rebounds, and three assists.
- Senior Chris Mann had ten points and three rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
- Army was 12-18 from beyond the arc, tying those most three-point makes this season (Merchant Marine, 11/30/2022).
- Freshman Jaden Ellis drilled two three pointers, scoring six points, his season high.
- Eight different Black Knights scored in the first half.
Up Next
The Black Knights continue their road trip to face Loyola Maryland on Thursday, January 5 at 7 p.m.
