As we’ve quickly learned this season, no lead in college basketball is safe. Navy found that out first-hand after seeing its 25-point second half lead quickly transform into a 71-68 loss to rival Army on Saturday in the Star Game.
Army’s rally tied for the largest comeback of the season with Nevada’s 25-point comeback against New Mexico earlier this season.
Clinging to a nine-point lead at halftime, the Midshipmen crafted a 10-0 run out of the break and cushioned their lead all the way to 25 points with just under 12 minutes left to play. The game looked all but over as Army struggled to find any rhythm whatsoever; it took Army more than 7 minutes to score a field goal in the second half.
Then it all came together.
Army closed on a ridiculous 40-14 run to finish the game, unleashing a barrage of shots from beyond the arc to mount an improbable comeback. It made 13 of its last 14 field goals behind an offensive explosion from Jordan Fox, who scored five 3-pointers and finished with 22 points to lead the charge. During that span, the Army defense tightened up, holding Navy to 2-of-12 shooting to cap the game.
Facing a one-point deficit with 19 seconds left, Fox drilled a 3-pointer to put Army up 69-67 to complete the comeback and it would never relinquish the lead.
Not only does it mark the largest comeback of the season, but it’s the eighth-largest second half comeback in NCAA history.
