WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit, missed opportunities and a singular, spectacular performance, Ryan Curry’s step-back jumper with 15 seconds remaining lifted Army to a 69-68 victory over Holy Cross in a Patriot League men’s basketball thriller Saturday at Christl Arena.

The final sequence encapsulated the entire contest. After Curry’s clutch basket gave the Black Knights a one-point lead, Holy Cross called a timeout to set up a final play. The Crusaders worked the ball to Aidan Richard, whose contested three-point attempt from the wing as time expired missed the mark, sealing a dramatic and narrow escape for the home team before a crowd of 1,165.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final three minutes, a chaotic stretch where neither team could secure control. With Army leading 66-63, Holy Cross’s Gabe Warren connected on a crucial three-pointer to tie the game with just over three minutes to play. On the ensuing possession, Army’s Ryan Curry was fouled on a three-point attempt and made the first of his three free throws to edge ahead 67-66. Curry then came up with a steal, but his subsequent layup was emphatically blocked by Holy Cross’s Aiden Disu, preserving the one-point deficit for the Crusaders.

Holy Cross had a chance to take the lead but turned the ball over, giving Army possession with under a minute to play. The Black Knights ran the clock down before Curry, isolated on the wing, created just enough space to sink the decisive jumper over his defender, his 27th point of the night.

The game was a statistical paradox. Army won despite being severely outplayed at the free-throw line and in the turnover battle. Holy Cross shot an efficient 16 for 19 from the charity stripe, while Army struggled to a 6-for-16 performance. The Crusaders also forced 15 Army turnovers, converting them into 17 points, while committing only nine of their own.

However, Army’s relentless three-point shooting and dominance on the offensive glass proved to be the great equalizers. The Black Knights hoisted 40 shots from beyond the arc, making 15, and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds that led to numerous second-chance opportunities. Holy Cross, by contrast, was a more selective 8 for 18 from deep and collected only eight offensive boards.

Curry, a guard from Montgomery, New Jersey, was the undeniable star for Army, finishing with 27 points, five rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes. His scoring barrage, particularly from deep, provided the consistent offensive engine for the Black Knights. He was supported by Joshua Eli, who posted nine points and 12 rebounds, and Jaxson Bell, who added nine points and nine boards.

Holy Cross was led by a double-double from Aiden Disu of Buda, Texas, who recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in a strong all-around effort. The Crusaders also received 11 points apiece from Gabe Warren, DeAndre Williams and Joe Nugent, with Nugent’s all coming in the first half. John St. Germain added 10 points off the bench.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, ending in a 33-33 deadlock. Holy Cross built an early 9-3 lead behind Disu’s activity, but Army responded with a flurry of three-pointers, primarily from Curry, to seize control of the tempo. The half featured seven ties and neither team led by more than six points.

The second half saw Army threaten to pull away early, opening with a 9-3 run to take a 42-36 lead. The Black Knights’ lead ballooned to nine points at 49-40 following a Curry layup with 14 minutes remaining. Holy Cross, displaying the resilience that characterized its performance, chipped away. A 13-4 Crusaders run, capped by a Declan Ryan layup, tied the game at 53 with just over 10 minutes to play, setting the stage for the tense back-and-forth finish.

With the win, Army improved to 10-13 overall. The Black Knights, who were projected as favorites by advanced metrics, evened their Patriot League record. Holy Cross, which had defeated Army 82-75 just over two weeks prior in Worcester, fell to 8-15 with the heartbreaking loss.

The game was a classic Patriot League battle, featuring 14 lead changes and 10 ties. In the end, the team with the best player on the floor made the final, decisive play. Ryan Curry’s late-game heroics ensured Army survived its own mistakes and Holy Cross’s determined effort to secure a vital conference victory.