WEST POINT – The Army West Point men’s basketball team dropped another close decision Sunday afternoon in the final contest of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational regional games.
The Black Knights outscored Central Arkansas in the second period but it wasn’t enough to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit, eventually falling 81-76.
Three reached double digits for Army with Luke Morrison’s career-high 19 points leading the way. Also posting twin figures was Matt Wilson and John Emezie with 13 and 11 points re Marist Drops Close One to Holy Cross spectively.
Wilson also led the Black Knights on the boards with seven rebounds, while Mac Hoffman and Morrison chipped in six each.
Sophomore Jordan Fox handed out a career-best seven assists, with rookie Tommy Funk followed closely with five.
Central Arkansas had its largest lead of the game (17 points) twice throughout the opening period with its most recent coming at the 9:26 mark when the score was 28-11. Army slowly started to chip away at the deficit ultimately making it a 44-37 ballgame at the break.
The Bears extended their edge to 68-54 with eight minutes remaining in the game but again the Black Knights sparked a small rally. The home team used a 17-4 run over the next four minutes to pull within 72-71. Army drained four 3-pointers during that stretch.
Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Black Knights would come as Central Arkansas held on down the stretch to secure the five-point victory.