WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a Patriot League men’s basketball clash defined by efficiency and a decisive second-half response, the Colgate Raiders secured a 76-69 victory over the Army Black Knights on Saturday at Christl Arena.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 1,073, saw Colgate improve to 8-7 overall, while Army dropped to 7-8. The Raiders, who entered as 6.5-point favorites, covered the spread, and the combined score of 145 fell just under the over/under line of 147.5.

Colgate’s win was anchored by a balanced offensive attack and superior shot-making. The Raiders shot 44.8% from the field and a critical 37% from three-point range, while also converting 87.5% of their free throws. Army, despite making 12 three-pointers, struggled at the charity stripe, shooting just 55% on 20 attempts, a disparity that proved costly in a tight contest.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 10 lead changes. Army’s Ryan Curry, a guard from Montgomery, New Jersey, kept the Black Knights in striking distance with his perimeter scoring and playmaking. Colgate’s interior presence, led by forward Andrew Alekseyenko of Brookline, Massachusetts, who grabbed seven of his game-high 11 rebounds before halftime, helped the Raiders maintain a slim 35-34 lead at the break.

The most important stretch of the game came early in the second half. After Army’s Tate Laczkowski opened the scoring to give the Black Knights a brief 36-35 lead, Colgate unleashed a 15-4 run over a four-minute span. The surge was fueled by a mix of inside scoring and timely three-pointers. Kyle Carlesimo of Seattle and Ben Tweedy of Rockhampton, Australia, each connected from deep during the run, while Sam Wright of Hoover, Alabama, provided a consistent finishing threat around the basket.

Army responded behind Curry, who finished with a game-high 24 points and seven assists, cutting the deficit to 50-47 with a three-pointer at the 16:29 mark. However, Colgate consistently answered every Black Knight push. Each time Army drew within a single possession, the Raiders executed on offense, often through Alekseyenko’s facilitation from the high post; he finished with a game-high seven assists to go with his six points and 11 rebounds.

Colgate’s defense also tightened in the closing minutes. Leading 63-61 with under five minutes to play, the Raiders forced consecutive turnovers, leading to a Carlesimo pull-up jumper and a driving layup from Tweedy to extend the lead to six. Army would not get closer than five points the rest of the way, as Colgate sealed the game by making 7 of 8 free throws in the final 39 seconds.

Beyond Curry’s standout performance for Army, Laczkowski of Dallas contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Jaxson Bell of Indianapolis added nine points and eight rebounds for the Black Knights.

For Colgate, the scoring load was shared effectively. Carlesimo, Tweedy and Wright each scored 18 points. Tweedy added three assists, while Wright collected four rebounds. Brady Cummins of York, Maine, provided nine key points off the bench, all from the free-throw line, where he was a perfect 9-for-9.

Statistically, Colgate’s efficiency shone through. The Raiders posted an offensive rating of 121.4 points per 100 possessions, compared to Army’s 114.0. Colgate also won the battle in assists (5-3), blocks (6-2), and points in the paint (28-20), illustrating a more diversified and controlled offensive approach.

The victory gives Colgate momentum as it heads into the heart of its Patriot League schedule, beginning with a home game against American on Wednesday. Army looks to rebound when it hosts Loyola Maryland, also on Wednesday.