Feb. 25, 2009

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EASTON, Pa. - Army shot its way to a 79-55 victory against the Lafayette men's basketball team on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center.

Julian Simmons' 17 points backed the Black Knights' scorching outing from the field as Army (9-18, 5-8) poured in 55 percent of its shots (29-of-53). Meanwhile, the Leopards (8-20, 4-9) struggled to find the bottom of the net, hitting 31 percent for the night.

Jared Mintz posted 12 points and six rebounds, and Michael Gruner added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

After being held scoreless for nearly the first six minutes of the game, Lafayette chipped in three baskets in a one-minute span to take the lead. Andrew Brown sank the Leopards' first basket from the baseline at 14:16.

Chris Walker picked up an offensive foul on Army's next possession, leading to a three by Gruner. Gruner capitalized again off a Black Knight turnover, laying it in for a 7-6 Lafayette lead at 13:10.

Jon Sizemore's jumper on the next possession started Army on an 11-0 run before freshman Rob Delaney scored two of his career-high seven points from the corner, 17-9. The Black Knights went on to hit 15-of-24 from the field (62.5 percent) in the first half.

Though the Leopards were sent to the free throw line 13 times in the first half, they uncharacteristically had a hard time connecting. Lafayette converted just 38.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Army reached its largest lead of the first half twice. John Moonshower drained a three to help Army gain a 37-19 lead with fewer than four minutes remaining in the half.

The Black Knights hit the 18-point mark again when, with 1.5 seconds left on the clock, they inbounded the ball underneath the basket to Kenny Brewer, who dumped it in as time expired. The play sent Army into the locker room at the half with a 41-23 lead.

Ryan Willen gave Lafayette a boost after the break with back-to-back threes from the same spot on the court, 47-32, with 16:21 remaining. But the Leopards couldn't keep up with Army's hot hands.

Freshman center J.D. Pelham drained two three pointers from the top of the key for a career high night in points (six) in seven minutes at the end of the game. He also tied his career high in rebounds with four.

The Leopards finish the regular season on Saturday with a 2 p.m. home matchup against league-leader American on Senior Day.

Game notes
Alex Orchowski grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, breaking his career high. He matched his previous career high - six, which he set at Colorado - in eight minutes of the first half.