Patriot League Quarterfinals: Army Storms Back on Bucknell, Top Seeds Roll

The 4/5 game is always the best, isn't it? Two teams who are typically separated by the least amount in terms of talent battle for the right to attempt an upset against the top-seeded team. Army and Bucknell gave us a classic interpretation of that battle on Wednesday night with the Black Knights eventually emerging victorious thanks to a furious offensive output over the final two minutes.

Trailing 70-63 with 2:25 to play, Kyle Wilson decided it was high time someone took control of this game. Wilson scored to bring Army with five with 2:05 to play. An (iffy) offensive foul by Ryan Frazier gave Army the ball back and Wilson scored again, cutting the lead to three and giving Army a one-possession shot at this game.

Bucknell took the ball back looking to keep the Black Knights at arm's length, as they had for much of the game, but Tanner Omlid turned over Chris Hass and took the ball straight to rim where he missed and Tanner Plomb grabbed the board. Plomb kicked the ball out to Wilson who set his feet behind the arc, fired, and waited as the ball hit the front of the rim, bounced high in the air, and settled inside the basket for a tie game, 70-70, with 1:03 to play.

Cameron Ayers got a look at a three, but the Patriot League Player of the Year was off. Brian Fitzpatrick was fouled on the rebound and made one-of-two, forcing Army to make a play on the other end. Have you figured out what happened yet?

Army went straight to Wilson who made good with a floater in the lane with 13 seconds to play. Bucknell couldn't get a good shot off and the Bison saw their six-game winning streak end in the most heartbreaking of ways. Wilson was responsible for the final nine Army points - 19 total - as it closed the game on a 9-1 run.

Army will face Boston University on Saturday for a place in the Patriot League Championship.

Maurice Watson Jr. and Co. put this game away real early, demonstrating an incredibly efficient offense and a stingy defense. The Terriers connected on 66.1 percent of their shots and made six of their first eight attempts from three to open up an early lead. Watson finished with 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds against just two turnovers. Killer performance.

Closer than many of the others, the Crusaders continued their hot run of play thanks to 19 points and eight rebounds from Malcolm Miller. Mackey McKnight goes out swinging, however, with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Mountain Hawks.

The other half of the Monday Winners Club goes down honorably as American turned in a vintage AU performance. The Eagles assisted on 17 of their 21 made field goals and got double-digit scoring from their big three of John Schoof (16), Tony Wroblicky (14), and Darius Gardner (12). Murphy Burnatowski finished his season with another solid outing, leading the Raiders with 15 points and six rebounds.