American Eagles Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Army Black Knights

MORAGA, Calif. — The American Eagles are set to face the Army Black Knights on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Christl Arena in Moraga, California, as both teams aim for victory in a critical Patriot League matchup.

The Eagles, riding a three-game winning streak, carry a record of 16-10 into this contest after their latest victory over Lafayette, 60-58. In that game, American showcased a 45.1% field goal percentage, hitting 23 of 51 shots, while converting 9 of 11 free throw attempts for an 81.8% accuracy. Matt Rogers was a standout performer, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting.

American averages 69.3 points per game, ranking near the bottom at 298th nationally. They face a Black Knights team that comes in with a 15-10 record, aiming to secure a win after recently topping Loyola, 64-60. Josh Scovens emerged as a key player for Army with 22 points in that game, further solidifying his role as a leader.

Both teams have experienced fluctuating fortunes throughout the season. The Eagles commit an average of 11.3 turnovers and draw 16.3 fouls per game. Defensively, they allow opponents to shoot 46.2% from the floor, ranking 131st in the nation, as they yield an average of 69.5 points per game. Coach Mike Brennan emphasized the need for his team to maintain their defensive intensity to stifle Army’s offensive efforts.

Meanwhile, Army, ranked 147th nationally for field goal accuracy (45.5%), holds onto a scoring average of 75.9 points per game. Notably, they excel in the assist department, with 15.2 assists per game, ranking 83rd in the nation, thanks in part to the distribution from Ryan Curry, who contributes a modest 3.8 assists per outing.

Despite the teams’ current form, they are statistically quite similar, which sets up an intriguing matchup. Both teams trend towards a tight contest with little separating their scoring averages and overall performances. Army has struggled to cover the spread this season, marking a 3-5 record as favorites by 1.5 points or more, while American shows a solid 9-5 record against the spread when underdog by the same margin.

The game’s over/under is set at 137.5 points, reflective of the teams’ combined scoring patterns. Both squads have hit their stride offensively in recent matchups, suggesting the potential for a high-scoring affair.

As the teams prepare for tip-off at 6:00 PM ET, anticipation is building for what promises to be a closely contested game. Sports analysts predict that American may have the edge, but both teams have the firepower to secure the win.