Lafayette Tops Army in High-Scoring Encounter
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Kirby Sports Center
Lafayette Leopards 83, Army Black Knights 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Army Black Knights vs Lafayette Leopards?
Lafayette Leopards beat Army Black Knights 83-77 at Kirby Sports Center on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Army Black Knights vs Lafayette Leopards?
Lafayette Leopards were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Kirby Sports Center, the Lafayette Leopards emerged victorious against the Army Black Knights with a final score of 83-77. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 11-20, adding an extra layer of intensity to this contest. The Leopards' win marks a continuation of their recent success against Army, having won two out of their last three meetings. In their previous encounter on February 7, 2026, Lafayette narrowly defeated Army 63-60, showcasing a competitive rivalry.
Lafayette's recent form has been a mix of highs and lows. Over their last ten games, they have posted a record of 5-5, with an average of 66.0 points scored and 70.6 points allowed per game. They are currently on a one-game winning streak, having secured a close 70-69 victory against the Colgate Raiders just two days prior to this game. In their last five games, Lafayette has a record of 2-3, scoring an average of 68.0 points while allowing 74.6.
On the other hand, Army has struggled recently, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games. They have averaged 66.1 points scored and 74.1 points allowed during this stretch. The Black Knights are currently on a two-game losing streak, having lost to Bucknell 75-73 and Navy 81-63 in their last two outings. In their last five games, Army has managed just one win, averaging 70.8 points scored but allowing a staggering 78.6 points per game.
When it comes to home and away performance, Lafayette has a home record of 1-4 in their last five games, while Army has struggled on the road with a 1-3 away record in their last five games. This fixture was particularly crucial for both teams as they looked to improve their standings and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Lafayette favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 144.5. The odds indicated a generally competitive matchup, reflecting the close nature of their previous encounters and recent performances.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant players missing for either team, which allowed both squads to field their best lineups for this critical game.
As the game unfolded, Lafayette's offense was marked by key contributions from their players, particularly in the second half. Notably, Ryan Curry made a significant impact with a 26-foot three-point jumper that brought Army within striking distance late in the game. However, Lafayette managed to maintain their composure, with Mark Butler sealing the victory by making crucial free throws in the closing moments.
The conditions at the Kirby Sports Center were conducive to an exciting basketball atmosphere, with both teams feeding off the energy of the crowd. Fans witnessed a back-and-forth contest that showcased the intensity and competitiveness of college basketball.
Overall, this game was a testament to the fierce rivalry between Lafayette and Army, with both teams showcasing their determination to secure a win. Lafayette's ability to execute down the stretch ultimately made the difference, allowing them to claim victory and improve their standing as they head into the final games of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LAF -3.5 | 144.5 o -112 / u -108 | Army Black Knights +136 · Lafayette Leopards -162 |
Leaders
- PointsMark Butler21Lafayette Leopards
- AssistsMark Butler6Lafayette Leopards
- ReboundsShareef Jackson5Lafayette Leopards
- PointsJaxson Bell22Army Black Knights
- AssistsRyan Curry5Army Black Knights
- ReboundsJaxson Bell8Army Black Knights
Recent form
Lafayette Leopards
Last 10: 5-5Streak W166 scored · 70.6 allowed per game1-4 at home
- W70-69at Colgate RaidersFeb 26
- L61-75vs American University EaglesFeb 22
- W86-83at Holy Cross CrusadersFeb 18
- L69-78vs Lehigh Mountain HawksFeb 14
- L54-68vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsFeb 12
- W63-60at Army Black KnightsFeb 7
- L50-65vs Navy MidshipmenFeb 5
- W67-65at American University EaglesJan 31
- W81-79vs Bucknell BisonJan 29
- L59-64at Lehigh Mountain HawksJan 25
Army Black Knights
Last 10: 3-7Streak L266.1 scored · 74.1 allowed per game1-3 away
- L73-75vs Bucknell BisonFeb 25
- L63-81vs Navy MidshipmenFeb 21
- W87-77at Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsFeb 19
- L63-75at American University EaglesFeb 14
- L68-85vs Boston University TerriersFeb 11
- L60-63vs Lafayette LeopardsFeb 7
- L55-69at Colgate RaidersFeb 5
- W69-68vs Holy Cross CrusadersJan 31
- W67-64vs Lehigh Mountain HawksJan 28
- L56-84at Navy MidshipmenJan 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | 26-8 | - | 17-1 |
| Colgate | 18-15 | 6 | 11-7 |
| Lehigh | 18-17 | 6 | 11-7 |
| Boston University | 17-17 | 7 | 10-8 |
| American University | 16-16 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Loyola Maryland | 12-20 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Lafayette | 11-21 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Bucknell | 10-23 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Army | 11-21 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Holy Cross | 11-22 | 12 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Army Black Knights | Lafayette Leopards |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-59 | 27-55 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 10-29 | 6-19 |
| Three-point % | 34 | 32 |
| Free throws | 11-13 | 23-29 |
| Free throw % | 85 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 25 |
| Assists | 16 | 17 |
| Steals | 6 | 8 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 38 |
| Fouls | 24 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 1 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 2 | 96 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half46-51Ryan Pettit makes layup
- 2nd Half46-53Misha Bednostin makes 3-foot dunk (Ryan Pettit assists)
- 2nd Half46-55Caleb Williams makes driving layup (Shareef Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half46-57KaiMani Murdock makes driving layup (Shareef Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half46-59Shareef Jackson makes layup
- 2nd Half47-59Jaxson Bell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-59Jaxson Bell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-61Christian Humphrey-Rembert makes 6-foot hook shot (Caleb Williams assists)
- 2nd Half48-62Andrew Phillips makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-63Andrew Phillips makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-63Jacen Holloway makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-63Jacen Holloway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-63Jaxson Bell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-63Jaxson Bell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-64Shareef Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-64Kevin McCarthy makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jacen Holloway assists)
- 2nd Half56-67Christian Humphrey-Rembert makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mark Butler assists)
- 2nd Half59-67Jacen Holloway makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kevin McCarthy assists)
- 2nd Half61-67Jaxson Bell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-69Mark Butler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-69Jacen Holloway makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Mark Butler makes layup
- 2nd Half64-71Jacen Holloway makes layup (Ryan Curry assists)
- 2nd Half64-72Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-73Mark Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-73Jacen Holloway makes layup (Jaxson Bell assists)
- 2nd Half66-75Mark Butler makes 13-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half68-75Jaxson Bell makes layup
- 2nd Half68-76Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-77Mark Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-77Jacen Holloway makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-78Caleb Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-79Caleb Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-79Jaxson Bell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half72-80Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-80Ryan Curry makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half75-81Ryan Pettit makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-81Kevin McCarthy makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half77-82Mark Butler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-83Mark Butler makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Lafayette Leopards, below favours Army Black Knights.
Venue
- Kirby Sports CenterEaston, PA
- Attendance1764
- OfficialsRobert Riley, Patrick Harwood, Kolbert Galeano
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Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
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- Lafayette Tops Army in Close NCAAB ContestFeb 7, 2026