Late Rally Falls Short for Army Against American

WEST POINT – Despite a late rally, the Army West Point men’s basketball team was unable to complete the comeback and ultimately fell, 77-67, to American in a Patriot League contest on Saturday at Christl Arena.

Three Black Knights (12-17, 7-9 Patriot League) recorded double-digit points on the day, led by Lonnie Grayson’s 14. Twelve of the sophomore’s points came from beyond-the-arc against the Eagles (14-13, 8-8 Patriot League).

Matt Wilson shot over 50 percent from the field and finished the afternoon with 11 points to pair with a team-best eight rebounds. In his first collegiate start, Aaron Duhart tallied 10 points and a pair of steals.

Army and American sat tied at 5-5 with 17:15 on the clock before a 15-5 run put the Eagles ahead by double figures. The lead sat in double digits for majority of the frame until back-to-back Grayson 3-pointers sparked a 10-4 run to bring the Cadets within four, 33-29. The two sides went into the break with American on top, 35-39.

The Eagles opened the second half on a 19-3 run and the lead grew to over 20 points with 11:21 left to play. Army slowly began to chip into the deficit and with 6:42 remaining, a 16-3 run that was capped by a Duhart trey had the Cadets within eight, 66-58.

Momentum shifted and 3-point makes by King and Grayson made it a four-point game, 68-64, with 1:15 remaining. However, the Eagles held on to grab the win after going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe the rest of the way.

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