Knights Bounce Back for Victory Over Lehigh

WEST POINT – The Army West Point men’s basketball team shifted to 5-3 in the Patriot League after a 93-81 victory over Lehigh here Saturday afternoon.

The Black Knights rebounded nicely after a tough four-point loss on Wednesday to hand head coach Jimmy Allen his 25th victory at the helm. Four Cadets found double-digit scoring in the contest, led by Luke Morrison’s career-high 21 points.

The senior matched his career-best effort from behind-the-arc with five makes and finished his night 7-of-9 overall. He also converted on both of his free throw attempts.

Matt Wilson chipped in with a season-high 18 points, missing just one of his shots from the floor at 7-of-8. The sophomore closed out his night 4-of-8 from the charity stripe for his 14th twin figure scoring game of the year.

Jordan Fox and Tommy Funk added 15 and 13 points, respectively, to close out the Black Knights with double-figure scoring.

On the boards, rookie Alex King posted a game-high eight rebounds, while also accounting for eight points. Fox and Funk dished out multiple assists in the game with Fox notching a game-high eight and Funk seven.

The Cadets jumped in front early and never really looked back. Army increased its lead to a game-high 24 points after one of Morrison’s treys made it a 39-15 ballgame with six minutes remaining in the opening period.

The Black Knights then took a 50-31 edge into the break but that 19-point lead was dwindled down to just eight midway through the second half. The Mountain Hawks used a 27-16 run during that stretch to pull within 66-58. Six-straight from the Cadets, however, extended the Black Knights advantage back to twin figures.

Lehigh wouldn’t go away though cutting the deficit down to seven on two different occasions throughout the final four minutes but Army was able to hold on down the stretch for the 12-point win.

Army remains at home to face Colgate on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s game will mark the Black Knights’ final game of the first half of the Patriot League season.

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