Feb. 13, 2002
Audio From Post-Game Press Conference:
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Chris Spatola scored 27 points to lead Army to a 78-69 win over Lafayette on Wednesday at Kirby Sports Center. Army's 5-6 Patriot League record represents the most conference wins in the program's history.
Army set the tempo by opening the game with a 5-0 run before eventually creeping out to a 12-point lead on a Chris Spatola layup with 3:06 remaining. A free throw by Josh Wilson and a Charles Woodruff layup sent Army into halftime leading, 36-23.
Lafayette spent the second half playing catch-up as Army increased its lead to 15 points (69-54) on a Woodruff free throw at 3:57. The Leopards trailed by double figures for the majority of the second half.
Lafayette made a late 13-4 run capped by two Mike Farrell free throws to bring the Leopards within five (74-69) at 1:05. Lafayette had two three-point opportunities on separate possessions that would have brought them within two, but both rimmed out.
The Leopards were forced to foul, and four Army free throws sealed the 78-69 win for the Black Knights.
Army shot 51 percent from the floor compared to Lafayette's 40 percent. The Leopards lost the battle on the boards, 33-31. Woodruff scored 21 points that included a 13-19 effort from the charity stripe. He also added a game-high eight rebounds. Army's J.P. Spatola dished out 10 assists.
Brian Burke led Lafayette with 19 points followed by Farrell's 14 points.
Lafayette (12-12, 6-5) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Navy at 3:15 p.m. Lafayette's four seniors will be honored prior to the start of the game.
