At West Point, New York, Jalen Rucker sank a decisive jump shot just as the game clock hit zero, propelling Army to a thrilling 70-68 victory over Lafayette on Wednesday evening.
Rucker had an impressive outing, scoring a total of 29 points and shooting an efficient 12 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 7 from three-point territory, helping the Black Knights improve to a record of 9-8 overall and 3-2 in the Patriot League.
Alongside Rucker, Ryan Curry contributed significantly to the team’s success with 14 points, going 5 for 11 from the floor and nailing 4 out of 9 three-point attempts.
Josh Scovens added 11 points to the scoreboard, hitting 4 of 9 shots and 3 of 6 from the charity stripe, while also showcasing his defensive skills with three steals.
On the other side, Justin Vander Baan was the standout performer for the Leopards, scoring 17 points and making a notable impact on defense with five blocks.
Caleb Williams supported his team with another 13 points, and Alex Chaikin rounded out the scoring effort for Lafayette with 12 points alongside seven rebounds.
Rucker’s performance included eight points in the first half, although Army found themselves trailing 35-26 at the break. In a remarkable second-half showing, Rucker exploded for 21 points, turning the tide for his team.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Saturday. Army is set to host Boston University, while Lafayette will be taking on Colgate at home.