Preview: Lafayette Looks to Snap Skid at Army in Patriot League Clash

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the Patriot League’s second half will meet Saturday when the Lafayette Leopards visit the Army Black Knights at Christl Arena.

Lafayette (7-16) enters on a two-game slide, including a 65-50 home loss to Navy on Wednesday. The Leopards have struggled offensively, failing to reach 70 points in six of their last eight contests. Their fortunes often rest with junior guard Caleb Williams, who is averaging 18.1 points and 4.1 assists over his last seven games. Williams scored 28 in a win over Bucknell on Jan. 28 but was held to 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting in the loss to Navy.

Army (10-14) has also been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over its past six games. The Black Knights are coming off a 69-55 defeat at league-leading Colgate. Sophomore guard Jaxson Bell has provided a scoring punch, averaging 15.3 points over his last six outings, including an 18-point performance at Colgate.

The matchup features two of the conference’s lower-scoring offenses. Lafayette ranks last in the Patriot League in scoring offense (66.2 points per game), while Army is eighth (71.0 ppg). Both teams will aim to improve their ball security; they combine for nearly 25 turnovers per game.

Historically, this series has been tightly contested, with Army holding a narrow edge in recent meetings. The teams will complete a home-and-home series in Easton, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 28.

For Lafayette, reversing a 1-9 road record is paramount. Support for Williams will be critical, as only Shareef Jackson (10 points) joined him in double figures against Navy. Army, which is 6-5 at home, will look to control the paint, where it holds a slight rebounding advantage over the Leopards.

Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.