Solid Shooting Leads Army to Victory

Wednesday, November 30

West Point

7 p.m.

Army West Point

3-4

Fairleigh Dickinson

2-4

Fairleigh Dickinson

ARMY

Solid Shooting Leads Army to Victory

November 30, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, 97-78, Wednesday night in Christl Arena.

The Black Knights were impressive from all aspects of the floor, shooting a season-high 60.3 percent for the game. Army added 12-of-23 makes from behind-the-arc as well for 52.2 percent shooting, which was also a season high.

FDU jumped out to the 5-3 advantage just two minutes into the contest but that would be the last time the Knights would lead. Army then used an 11-2 rally over a little more than five minutes to create separation between the teams at 14-7. The Black Knights remained in front at a comfortable margin for the rest of the game to secure their third win of the season.

The scoring for the Black Knights was very balanced with five cadet-athletes reaching double figures. Jordan Fox led the way for Army with 16 points, on 7-of-12 shooting. Rookie Matt Wilson tallied 15 points, followed by Mac Hoffman, John Emezie and Kennedy Edwards who all registered 12 points each. Wilson and Emezie have now earned double digits in four straight contests.

Hoffman completed his night with 11 rebounds to earn his first career double-double. Edwards was a close second with seven boards, while first-year Tommy Funk handed out a career-high eight assists.

Another highlight on the night was head coach Jimmy Allen, who with the win, recorded his 100th career victory as a head coach. This milestone includes his time at Averett University (2004-10).

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army saw five players reach double figures for the first time this season.
Jacob Kessler went perfect on the night, finishing 3-of-3 from the floor and 2-of-2 from downtown for his eight points.
Hoffman was nearly perfect at 3-of-3 in field goals and 6-of-9 in free throw attempts. The senior missed his first three shots from the charity stripe before rattling off six straight makes to finish at 66.7 percent.
Scott Mammel had an impressive game as well, converting on three of his four shots from long range to tie his career-high in made 3-pointers.
Edwards reached double digits for the first time since leading the team with 17 points in Army's season opener at No. 5 Oregon.
Luke Morrison was back in action after missing two games due to injury. The junior finished with eight points and four rebounds.
Army outrebounded the Knights at 39-27 and held the edge on points in the paint at 48-34.
The Black Knights converted 14 points on second-chance opportunities compared to the Knights' 11.
The Army bench outscored FDU's 44-19.
FDU held its largest edge in the game at three just one minute into the contest.
Army registered its largest lead of the game at 20 points on four different occasions. The most recent was with 59 seconds remaining when Mammel drained his final trey of the night.
The Knights were in front for just 1:49, while the Black Knights maintained their lead for 35:35. The game was tied for 2:36.

TURNING POINT

Midway through the opening period Army had created a 25-17 lead. A small 7-2 run for the visitors cut the Black Knights' edge down to 27-24. Army responded though with a rally of its own, scoring nine of the next 11 points to create a 10-point margin between the teams at 36-26. From that point on, the Knights never got any closer than six points and watched the home team maintain a double digit advantage for the entire second half.

UP NEXT

Army remains at home for two more contests in Christl Arena. The Black Knights take on St. Francis Brooklyn on Saturday before hosting academy rival Air Force on Dec. 7. Saturday's game against the Terriers is slated for a 4 p.m. tip, while Army's contest against the Falcons is set for 7 p.m.