Army Downs Binghamton in Out-Of-Conference Finale

Wednesday, December 21

West Point

7 p.m.

Army West Point

6-6

Binghamton

8-6

Binghamton

ARMY

Army Downs Binghamton in Out-Of-Conference Finale

December 21, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's basketball team closed out its non-league action Wednesday night with a 71-60 victory over Binghamton.

The Black Knights have now strung together four-straight wins in Christl Arena for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

It was a two-point Army lead with 7:29 remaining after Binghamton's Timmy Rose converted on a layup to pull the visitors to within 55-53. The Black Knights, however, would use a 16-4 run over a five-minute span to ultimately seal their sixth win of the season. The Bearcats added one final 3-pointer with 24 seconds remaining but the deficit proved too large as the Cadets held on for the 11-point victory.

Leading the way for the Black Knights was rookie Matt Wilson, who recorded 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. He was also a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line.

Closing out Army's double-digit scoring was Luke Morrison with his 13 points. The junior finished 5-of-11 from the floor, 2-of-7 from 3-point range and 1-of-2 from the charity stripe. He has now registered twin figures in four games this season, including back-to-back contests.

Senior Mac Hoffman posted an impressive 12 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass to lead all players. That mark handed the Pleasanton, Calif., native a new career high and his second double-digit rebounding night on the year. Also recording a career best was Jordan Fox with six rebounds and 10 assists. His 10 helpers were a season high for the Black Knights by an individual player.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army outscored Binghamton 39-28 in the second half of play after the game was knotted 32-all at the break.
The Black Knights finished the night shooting 43.5 percent (27-of-62) from the floor and just 25 percent (6-of-24) from long range, which matched their season-low from behind-the-arc.
Army converted on 11 of its 14 attempts at the charity stripe.
The Bearcats shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from the floor, 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from 3-point range and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from the line.
Tommy Funk and John Emezie chipped in nine and eight points, respectively, while Kennedy Edwards matched his career high with two blocks.
The Black Knights outrebounded their visitor 39-36 and held the edge on assists at 18-11.
Binghamton scored 36 points from inside the paint compared to Army's 34.
The Cadets recorded 15 points off turnovers, while the Bearcats tallied 11.
Army held the 28-16 edge on bench points.
Binghamton led for 14:23, while Army was in front for 20:31. The game was tied for 5:06.
The Bearcats earned their largest lead in the game at 24-14 with 7:41 left to play in the opening period.
Army notched the game's largest margin at 71-57 (14 points) following Emezie's second made free throw with 54 seconds remaining.
There were five lead changes and five tie scores throughout the game.

TURNING POINT

It was a 55-53 Army advantage with 7:29 left following a layup from Binghamton's Rose. Army answered though with a 16-4 run, which ultimately put the game out of reach for the visitors.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Binghamton opened up a 24-10 edge with 7:41 remaining in the opening period. Army answered with a 13-0 run, which handed the home team a 26-24 advantage with 5:26 left before halftime.
The Bearcats would not go away and two made free throws from Willie Rodriguez in the closing seconds knotted the game at 32-32 at the break.
Over the first 10 minutes of the second half, neither team held larger than a four-point advantage.
Army extended its slim lead to 55-49 but the Bearcats quickly answered with four straight to make it a 55-53 ballgame with 7:29 remaining on the clock.
But that's when the Cadets took over, sparking a 16-4 run over a five-minute span to break the game open at 71-57.
Binghamton was never able to recover.

UP NEXT

Army has a little time off for the holiday season before kicking off Patriot League play on Dec. 30 against Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks and Black Knights are scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. in Christl Arena. That game will be carried live on the Patriot League Network with Rich DeMarco on the call. Lehigh is currently second in the league with an overall mark of 5-5.