Last Second Shot Stuns Army

Saturday, November 26

Fairfield, Conn.

2 p.m.

Army West Point

2-4

Fairfield

4-1

Army West Point

Fairfield University

Last Second Shot Stuns Army

November 26, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Army West Point men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker here Saturday afternoon at Fairfield 75-74.

The Black Knights saw a nine-point lead dwindle in the final 2:40, allowing the home team to spark a 10-0 rally to close out the game. Two of those 10 points came with 0.4 remaining on the clock when Amadou Sidibe tipped in a missed shot from Jerome Segura. That ultimately sealed the comeback win for the Stags, stunning Army, who dips to 2-4 on the early season.

Of the Cadets four losses this season, three have come by five or fewer points, two by three or less.

A highlight for the Black Knights was rookie Matt Wilson, who recorded a career-high 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The Alexandria, Ky., native chipped in five rebounds, including two on the offensive board.

Also reaching twin figures was Jacob Kessler and John Emezie. Kessler posted a career-best 12 points, all in the opening period, following his four makes from behind-the-arc. Those four treys were a career best for the sophomore. Emezie finished with 11 points for the Black Knights.

Rookie Tommy Funk notched a career-high seven rebounds, and was tied for tops on the team with Jordan Fox after registering four assists.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army was held scoreless for the final 2:40.
The Black Knights earned its largest lead of the game at 70-60 with 4:28 remaining following a good layup from Emezie.
Fairfield had its largest edge at six on two different occasions with its most recent coming just 14:53 into the second period when a Sidibe layup made it 46-40.
Army led for 22:27, while Fairfield was in front for 9:14. The game was tied for 8:19
There were nine tie scores and 13 lead changes throughout the game.
The Black Knights finished shooting 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the floor and 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from downtown. The Stags ended the game with marks of 42.9 (27-of-63) and 36.4 (8-of-22), respectively.
Army outscored the home team 40-38 on points in the paint and held the slight 14-12 edge on second chance opportunities.
The Cadets recorded a 31-10 advantage on bench points.
Fairfield posted 44 rebounds to Army's 33, but both teams had double-digit offensive boards.
The Stags committed 16 turnovers, while the Black Knights tallied 11.
Despite leaving the game at the 7:26 mark of the second half following his fifth foul, Mac Hoffman finished with six points and three rebounds.
Adam Roe added seven points and three boards, while Funk posted eight points to go along with his team-high seven rebounds.

TURNING POINT

The Black Knights had built a 74-65 lead with 2:40 remaining in the game after Wilson converted on a layup. The Stags answered with back-to-back treys on the other end of the court within 20 seconds of each other to cut the Cadets advantage down to 74-71 with 1:24 left. Those two makes from behind-the-arc were the start of a 10-0 run for Fairfield that ultimately sealed the home team the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the opening period of play, there were eight lead changes and five tie scores with neither team holding larger than a four-point advantage.
A good layup from Wilson with 10 seconds remaining in the half handed the Black Knights a 32-21 edge at the break.
The Stags quickly answered a minute into the second period, tying the score at 34-all.
Fairfield would then extend its lead to its largest of the game at six on two different occasions throughout the next four minutes, holding a 46-40 advantage with 14:52 remaining.
A 13-3 run for the Army over a little more than three minutes however pulled the Black Knights in front at 53-51.
That was quickly erased when the Stags took over the lead at 55-54 with just under 10 minutes to play.
The Cadets would not waiver though using a 16-5 run to create the game's largest advantage at 70-60 with 4:28 left.
Army maintained that lead following a Wilson layup with 2:40 remaining, but unfortunately that would be the last time the Black Knights would score as the Stags finished the game on a 10-0 run to steal the win in thrilling fashion.

UP NEXT

Army is back in the comfy confines of Christl Arena for three straight home contests against Fairleigh Dickinson, St. Francis Brooklyn and academy rival Air Force. The Black Knights welcome the Knights on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip before hosting the Terriers and Falcons on Dec. 3 and 7 at 4 and 7 p.m., respectively.