DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Elon University men's basketball team faced a heartbreaking defeat against Army West Point, falling 83-78 in the opening round of the 2025 Purple College Basketball Invitational (CBI) at the Ocean Center on Sunday, March 23. The loss left Elon with a final record of 17-16, while Army improved to 17-15.
Elon jumped to an early lead, thanks in part to Sam Sherry's explosive performance. Sherry led the Phoenix with 23 points and 14 rebounds, shooting exceptionally well from the field. He finished 7-of-10 overall, knocking down three crucial three-pointers and converting all six of his free throw attempts. Fellow teammates Isaac Harrell and Andrew King also contributed significantly, with Harrell scoring a career-high 20 points—most of which came from beyond the arc—and King adding 18 points.
However, the game turned dramatically in the second half when Army’s Jalen Rucker and Jorn Everson led a comeback. Rucker, who finished the game with a game-high 27 points and six assists, was instrumental in shifting the momentum. Everson added 22 points, with a staggering 17 of those coming in the second half.
Elon opened the game strong, taking a 17-9 lead after a three-pointer from Sherry with 13:18 left in the first half. The Phoenix then widened the gap to 32-17, fortifying their lead through key three-pointers from Harrell. At halftime, Elon led 39-30, resilient despite Army's late push.
The Phoenix began the second half with a 14-3 scoring run, pushing their lead to an impressive 51-30 just over three minutes into the period. However, Army countered with determination, igniting a 19-2 run that drastically sliced Elon's lead. During this stretch, Rucker and Everson were particularly effective, combining for 20 points.
For the first time since the early moments of the first half, the Black Knights regained the lead at 59-57 after completing a 9-0 run. Although Elon briefly reclaimed a lead, Army surged ahead again, culminating in their largest lead at 70-65 with only six minutes remaining.
Despite Elon's efforts to diminish the deficit—with Harrell hitting a fadeaway three-pointer cutting it to 78-74—Army held their ground, ensuring their place in the next round. "We just persevered, especially when the game seemed to slip away from us," Rucker said in a post-game interview. "It’s great to finally win in the postseason. It’s been a long time coming for our program." This victory marked Army's first postseason win since 1970, breaking a 55-year drought.
Both teams exhibited impressive performances, but the concluding minutes showcased Army's tenacity as they defended their lead after Elon's late-game surge. The Black Knights shot 37.1% from the field overall and demonstrated impressive three-point shooting at a rate of 35%.
Elon's efforts within the game included a significant advantage at the charity stripe, where they shot 85% (17-of-20). The team collectively showed strong potential, with their shooting percentage from the field sitting at 48% (26-of-54) and from three-point range at 47% (9-of-19).
Following the game, Elon’s season ends on a hopeful note. Coach Mike Schrage acknowledged his team's growth this year: "We may not have reached our ultimate goal today, but this season showed us how far we've come. We have a lot to build on moving forward." Elon closes with its first winning season since 2016-17, showing significant improvement over past years.
The Black Knights now advance to face the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, slated for Monday, March 24, at 2 p.m. in Dayton Beach. This matchup promises to be intense, with FGCU also looking to make waves in the CBI following their performance this season. As the tournament progresses, both teams have the opportunity to make their marks, turning the page to a new chapter in college basketball.
In reviewing the game, one can see the excitement and unpredictability that March Madness brings, with both teams exemplifying the dramatic turns that can unfold on the court. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing Army's journey as they strive to continue their postseason success against FGCU.
