Fox Goes For Career High In Loss to Bucknell

Monday, January 2

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

6-8, 0-2PL

Bucknell

10-5, 2-0PL

Army

Bucknell

Fox Goes For Career High In Loss to Bucknell

January 02, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Army West Point men's basketball team battled a strong Bucknell squad here Monday night but came up just short, 84-76.

Jordan Fox had himself a night though posting a career-best 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead all scorers. The sophomore added 4-of-6 makes from long range, while going a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. His 26 points marked the fourth time this season the Jackson County, Ky., native reached 20-plus points.

Matt Wilson added 15 points after finishing the night 7-of-10 from the floor. The rookie went 1-for-3 at the charity stripe and finished as Army's second-best rebounder with seven.

Leading the Cadets on the boards was Mac Hoffman, who pulled down eight. First-year Tommy Funk handed out a team-best five assists, while sophomore John Emezie recorded a career-best four steals.

Bucknell led by as many as 12 at the break and 16 with 14:27 left in the game, but the Black Knights slowly started to chip away at the deficit, pulling to within 76-70 with three minutes to play.

Unfortunately, Army wouldn't get any closer than six in the remaining minutes as the home team finished the night shooting 50.8 percent from the floor the secure their 10th win of the season.

Army dips to 0-2 in its early Patriot League campaign, while Bucknell improves to 2-0 with victories over the two conference service academies.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army outscored Bucknell 47-43 in the second period.
The Black Knights finished the game shooting 44.8 percent (30-for-67) from the floor and 28.6 percent (8-for-28) from downtown. Army added 8-of-12 makes from the free throw line.
Bucknell posted marks of 50.8 percent (31-of-61), 33.3 percent (6-of-18) and 61.5 percent (16-for-26), respectively.
Luke Morrison had his three-game double digit scoring streak snapped in the contest as he finished just shy with eight points. The junior added six rebounds as well.
Wilson continues his twin figure scoring streak, extending it to four straight games.
Bucknell saw all five of its starters reach double figures with Nana Foulland posting a team-best 20 points. Zach Thomas chipped in 19 points, followed by Avi Toomer's 11 points. Kimbal Mackenzie and Stephen Brown closed out the Bison top scorers with 10 points each.
The Black Knights outrebounded their host 38-36 and also held the edge on steals at 7-5.
Bucknell posted 46 points from inside the paint to Army's 42.
Army recorded 29 bench points, while the Bison registered just 14.
There were two lead changes throughout the game.
The Cadets led once at 18-17 following a trey from Fox with 12:44 left to play in the opening period.
Army was in front for 25 seconds. Bucknell led for 39:16. The game was tied for 19 seconds.

TURNING POINT

Scott Mammel drained a 3-pointer with 3:37 remaining in the first period to pull Army to within 32-29. Unfortunately, the Bison ended the half on a 9-0 run to send the home team into the locker room up 41-29.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Bucknell started the game converting on 3-of-4 attempts from behind-the-arc to take an 11-7 edge at the first media timeout.
Army battled back and pulled in front at 18-17 following a trey from Fox with 12:44 left in the opening period.
Bucknell, however, then used an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to create a 28-18 gap between the teams.
The Black Knights would not go away though sparking an 11-4 run of their own to cut the deficit down to 32-29 with 3:37 remaining on the clock.
Unfortunately, the Bison again used a 9-0 rally to close out the half and break the game open at 41-29.
Bucknell increased its advantage to a game-high 16 points at 56-40 with 14:27 remaining.
The Cadets would not waiver though using a 14-4 run to cut into the deficit at 60-54 midway through the period.
A few minutes later, Funk drained a trey with no time left on the shot clock to make it a 66-61 ballgame.
That five-point margin, however, would be as close as the Black Knights would come to completing the comeback. Down the stretch, Army could not get any closer than six points, dropping its second straight Patriot League contest of the early season.

UP NEXT

The Black Knights remain on the road for another midweek tilt at Lafayette on Thursday. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. tip in the Kirby Sports Center. Loyola hosted Lafayette on Monday night with the Leopards coming out on top, 78-69.