Black Knights' Comeback Falls Just Short

Saturday, November 19

West Point

6 p.m.

Army West Point

1-2

Arkansas State

3-1

ASU

Army West Point

Black Knights' Comeback Falls Just Short

November 19, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team's comeback bid fell just shy to Arkansas State here Saturday night, 60-57, at Christl Arena.

The contest marked the opening game of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational regional games hosted by the Black Knights.

It was a close game for the opening 20 minutes as neither team held larger than a six point lead. Right before the break, Arkansas State used a 5-0 run in the final minute to take a 24-22 edge into halftime. The Red Wolves continued their rally for nearly six minutes of the second period completing a 26-3 run to hand the visitors a 45-25 advantage.

Arkansas State maintained its double-figure edge until Army employed used a 20-6 run over eight minutes to pull within 60-57 with 52 seconds remaining.

Two key stops on the defensive end gave Army two chances to knot the score. Unfortunately, both 3-point attempts from Tommy Funk rattled in and out, stopping the large comeback just short.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights struggled to put the ball in the basket Friday night, shooting just 31.5 percent from the field due to hitting just 8-of-31 field goals in the opening period of play.
Army converted on only 5-of-20 shots from long range, which was a season-low.
Mac Hoffman led the way for Army with a career-high 17 points (4-of-9 field goals, 9-of-10 free throws), four rebounds and three assists.
Jordan Fox also chipped in twin figures with his career-best 15 points, including knocking down three shots from beyond-the-arc, two of which came during the Black Knights' late 20-6 run.
Army committed just 13 turnovers to the Red Wolves' 15, but were outrebounded, 41-35.
Devin Carter led the way for Arkansas State with 11 points and five rebounds. He was the only player for the Red Wolves to net double figures.

TURNING POINT

The Black Knights led 22-19 with 1:09 remaining in the first half. The Red Wolves quickly answered though with five straight, including a bucket with one second remaining to take the 24-22 edge into the break. Following halftime, Arkansas State increased that advantage after a 21-3 run broke the game open at 45-25 with 14:06 left to play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Black Knights broke the scoreless deadlock at the 18:13 mark of the opening period. It then took the Red Wolves nearly five minutes to earn their first bucket of the game, but when they did, it sparked a 10-2 run over just under seven minutes. Prior to that Army had forced Arkansas State into three turnovers in the opening two minutes. A Wilson layup at 11:34 ended the visitors rally.
Army pulled back in front at 22-19 with 1:09 remaining in the half, but five unanswered points from Arkansas State handed the visitors a slim 24-22 edge at the break.
The Red Wolves continued that streak outscoring the Black Knights 21-3 over the opening six minutes of the second period.
Army would not go away though as the Black Knights sparked a 20-6 rally of its own to make it a 60-57 ballgame in the final minute of play. The Black Knights drained four from downtown during that run, including two from the hands of Fox.
Army forced a traveling violation with 27.5 seconds to play, but Funk's fading 3-pointer was just short. Edwards then stole the ball after Jahmiah Simmons pulled down the defensive board, but Funk's second and final 3-point attempt rattled in-and-out. Despite giving up just one point in the final 3:35, Army was unable to complete the comeback.

UP NEXT

Army will face either Central Arkansas Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Christl Arena. That game will mark the final contest of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational regional games.