EASTON, Pa.- Lafayette opened the Patriot League slate shooting 50 percent in the first half and used a last-minute steal and layup by freshman Mark Butler to earn a 52-47 victory against Army on Wednesday evening in Kirby Sports Center.

The Maroon and White's top options, Butler (13) and Justin Vander Baan (11), both scored in double figures. Butler grabbed four rebounds and recorded two assists, to go along with a pair of steals and a block to guide the Leopards to a win in the Patriot League opener. Vander Baan recorded a team-high seven rebounds, including two in traffic in the final minutes, while adding two blocks and an assist.

The Leopards used a pair of early 3-pointers by Eric Sondberg and Devin Hines to take a 12-7 lead at the 15-minute mark. Lafayette continued on an offensive tear and secured its largest advantage of the game, 21-11 by 10:27. Chris Rubayo had four points in the 9-4 run.

Army retaliated with an 11-6 run of its own, creeping within five points, 27-22, at 4:52 in the opening half. Lafayette led by three (31-28) at halftime.

Army earned its first lead of the game, 36-35, to kickstart the second half on an 8-4 run (16:03). Ryan Curry fueled the stretch with six points on two deep 3-pointers. 

The Leopards quickly recovered the advantage, 41-39 at 11:11, with a shot from beyond the arc by Ryan Pettit and a trio of free throws courtesy of Rubayo and Butler.

Lafayette used six points from Vander Baan to hold on to a slim 49-47 lead at the three-minute mark.

The programs were scoreless thereafter until Butler transitioned a steal into a fastbreak layup at 0:36 for a 51-47 advantage. Vander Baan pulled down defensive rebounds on the Black Knights' final two possessions, helping to put away the game with a free throw.

The Black Knights shot 35.6 percent from the field and netted 5-of-17 from 3-point range overall. Patriot League Rookie of the Rookie of the Week Josh Scovens led Army with 12 points, shooting 5-for-11 from the field while being held without a 3-pointer. The Maroon and White shot 40.4 percent from the field and had 30 points in the paint and 17 off turnovers.

The Leopards travel to Boston U. on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip-off.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on X @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.