Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
Navy
Men's Basketball to Renew Rivalry with Navy
January 25, 2025 | Men's Basketball
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army West Point men's basketball (11-8, 4-2) returns home to Christl Arena on Sunday afternoon for the first of two matchups against its biggest rival, the Navy Midshipmen (6-14, 3-4).
Sunday's matchup will be the first time the two teams will face off this season, but the 142nd playing of the rivalry in its 125-year history. The two teams split the series last year at one game each, but ultimately the Black Knights took the win in the coveted Star Game, currently owning the bragging rights. This game will not be the Star Game, with that game scheduled to be played at Navy on February 15.
The Saturday afternoon game against Navy is slated for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off, with the game also streaming live on the CBS Sports Network and the Varsity Sports Network.
ARMY STORYLINES:
LAST GAME: The Black Knights gained a fifth straight victory on Wednesday night, taking down the Holy Cross Crusaders, 76-71. Army finished the game shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from the three-point line. The difference maker was Army's dominant victory in the turnover battle, with the team forcing Holy Cross to commit 14 turnovers as opposed to their 11, with Army scoring 20 points off the Crusaders' turnovers. Josh Scovens led the way for the Black Knights with a season-high 25 points while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. Ryan Curry was just behind Scovens with 24 points, making a career-high seven three-points. Blake Barker earned his first career double-double scoring 11 points with a game-high and career-high 12 rebounds, while also adding a team-high three steals. AJ Allenspach rounded out the double-digit scorers adding 14 points.
ON A ROLL: With the win on Wednesday afternoon, the Black Knights are now on a five-game winning streak. The fifth straight win gives Army its longest winning streak of the season and is the longest win streak in Kevin Kuwik's tenure.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jalen Rucker was named Patriot League Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. He becomes the first player in the Patriot League to earn the award for two consecutive weeks, with this being the fourth time he has been given the honor in his senior season. Rucker helped lead the Black Knights to a second straight 2-0 week in Patriot League play. Rucker finished the week averaging 26 points a game while shooting 66.7 percent from the floor and 50 percent from the three-point line.
NATIONAL ATTENTION: The fans in attendance in Christl Arena on Wednesday in Army's matchup against Lafayette were not the only people who saw Rucker's buzzer-beater to win the game. The shot blew up on social media and earned a spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 on January 16.
MAKING HISTORY: Along with being the hero and gaining national attention in Army's win over Lafayette, Rucker also hit a career milestone. With his 29 points, he was able to surpass Matt Wilson and is now sixth in scoring in Army West Point Men's Basketball program history.
GREATEST IN THE LEAGUE: Two Black Knights lead the Patriot League in three categories, with two in second in two categories. Jalen Rucker leads the league averaging 19.1 points per game and 1.7 steals a game. AJ Allenspach shoots a league-best 71.8 percent from the floor and is second in the league averaging 8.3 rebounds a game. Josh Scovens is also one of the best blockers in the league, being second in the Patriot League with 1.2 blocks a game.
RIVALRY RENEWED: Sunday's game marks the renewal of the 125-year-old rivalry between Army and Navy. The two service academies will meet for their 142nd matchup on Sunday in West Point. Currently, the Black Knights boast the rivalry's bragging rights, winning last year's Star Game last year in an overtime thriller, 69-67. Sunday's game will not be for the Star, with that game taking place on Feb. 15 in Annapolis.
History with Navy
- Navy leads the series, 85-56
- Current Streak: Army, 1 win
- Last Army win: Feb. 10, 2024, 69-67 (OT)
- Last Navy win: Jan. 20, 2024, 57–53
- Last Five Meetings: Navy leads, 4-1
- Feb. 10, 2024 (West Point): ARMY 69, NAVY 67 (OT)
- Jan. 20, 2024 (Annapolis): ARMY 53, NAVY 57
- Feb. 11, 2023 (Annapolis): ARMY 53, NAVY 70
- Jan. 21, 2023 (West Point): ARMY 71, NAVY 77
- Feb. 12, 2022 (West Point): ARMY 49, NAVY 52
Scouting the Midshipmen
- Navy is 6-14 so far this season, holding a 3-4 record in league play. The Midshipmen have taken wins over American, Lafayette and Boston U, while seeing losses to Holy Cross, Loyola Maryland, Colgate and Bucknell so far in league play.
- The Midshipmen have lost four of their last five games. During that stretch, they are 0-3 on the road and 1-1 when playing in Annapolis.
- Junior Austin Benigni leads the Midshipmen averaging 17.5 points per game while averaging a league-best 4.3 assists per game.
- Junior Aidan Kehoe also averages double-digits for Navy scoring 10.6 points per game. He also nearly averages a double-double, averaging a league-high 9.1 rebounds per game.
