It was more than just a basketball game — it was a homecoming, a celebration, and a night that rewrote history inside Christl Arena.
On Veterans Day, under the bright lights and roaring crowd of 5,326 fans, Army West Point men’s basketball hosted one of the most iconic programs in college basketball — the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils — in what turned out to be a record-breaking, emotional, and unforgettable night at West Point.
The sold-out crowd wasn’t just there for the basketball. They came to witness the return of a legend — Mike Krzyzewski (‘69), the greatest coach in NCAA history, back where it all began. Fifty years after starting his coaching career at Army, the man simply known as “Coach K” walked through the same tunnel once again, greeted with thunderous applause from his alma mater.
A NIGHT FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS
From the opening tip, you could feel it — this wasn’t an ordinary game.
This was Army versus Duke. Old meets new. A legacy coming full circle.
The matchup marked just the third time in program history that Army hosted a Power Five opponent, and the first time in nearly three decades. The energy was electric as fans filled every corner of Christl Arena, breaking the previous attendance record of 5,291 set in 2017 against Navy.
And right in the middle of it all was Coach K, watching his former program take on the powerhouse he built into a basketball empire.
Before tip-off, the crowd erupted as Army unveiled a special banner honoring Krzyzewski, celebrating him as the winningest head coach in NCAA Division I history. His coaching journey — which began right there at West Point in 1975 — was immortalized with cheers, emotion, and pride.
When Coach K took the microphone to address the crowd, it wasn’t just nostalgia. It was gratitude — from a man whose greatness began in those very walls.
DUKE DOMINATES, BUT ARMY FIGHTS WITH HEART
Once the ball was in the air, the Blue Devils wasted no time showing why they’re ranked among the nation’s elite. Duke’s offense clicked on all cylinders, running the floor with precision and power en route to a commanding 114–59 win.
But the score didn’t tell the full story.
Army battled with heart, and their young roster showed flashes of brilliance — none brighter than freshman guard Jackson Furman, who lit up the court with a career-high 20 points, shooting 53.8% from the field and 55.5% from beyond the arc. It was the kind of performance that announces a new name to remember in Black Knights basketball.
Ryan Curry added 7 points, while Jorn Everson and Jacen Holloway chipped in 6 apiece. Holloway’s early drives set the tone, and his five rebounds led the team in hustle and effort. Dillon Watt added 4 points, while a balanced rotation saw six more Black Knights contribute across the board — proof that Army’s depth and spirit remain strong.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
Army opened the game with energy and purpose. Jacen Holloway scored first, igniting the crowd before Kevin McCarthy answered Duke’s early bucket with a long-range three. Moments later, Ryan Curry drained another from deep, tying the game at 8–8 and giving the Black Knights belief.
But Duke began to heat up midway through the half, as their elite shooting and size advantage stretched the lead. Army, however, refused to back down. Jorn Everson and McCarthy crashed the offensive glass, creating second-chance looks and fighting for every possession.
Then came the moment of the night — Furman’s four-point play.
He rose from the wing, nailed the three, took the contact, and hit the free throw — sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Even as Duke’s firepower widened the gap, Army’s effort never faded. Steals from Ryan Curry and Alex Engro, hustle plays from Tate Laczkowski, and sheer determination from Joshua Eli kept the Black Knights swinging until the final whistle.
BEHIND THE STATS
While Duke’s numbers dazzled — shooting 56.9% from the floor and 43.2% from three, compared to Army’s 30.9% — the deeper story was in the resilience.
Army may have been out-rebounded (48–27) and outpaced in transition (31–6 in fast-break points), but they played with relentless grit against one of the deepest rosters in college basketball.
Six players recorded steals.
Every player who touched the floor scored.
And every fan in the building saw the spirit of Army basketball — fighting with honor, heart, and hustle.
WHAT IT MEANT
For the players, it was a chance to compete against the best.
For the fans, it was a record-setting spectacle.
But for Mike Krzyzewski — the legend who began his journey in West Point gray — it was a homecoming written in gold.
The arena that once saw him pacing the sidelines as a young coach now honored him as the game’s greatest general. And even as Duke rolled to victory, the moment belonged to both programs — to Duke, the dynasty he built, and to Army, the foundation that shaped him.
BLACK KNIGHT BULLET POINTS
Jackson Furman led the way with a career-high 20 points, hitting 53.8% from the floor and 55.5% from deep.
Ryan Curry followed with 7 points, while Jorn Everson and Jacen Holloway tallied 6 each.
Holloway led the team with 5 rebounds, showing toughness inside.
Tate Laczkowski and Kevin McCarthy each dished out 4 assists, keeping the ball moving and creating looks.
Six players logged steals — Curry, Laczkowski, McCarthy, Watt, Engro, and Jaxson Bell.
Army’s bench contributed across the board, with Dayon Polk, Joshua Eli, Brendon O’Keefe, and others adding energy and points.
LEGACY MEETS FUTURE
As the final buzzer sounded, Duke celebrated another dominant win. But for Army — for every player, fan, and graduate in the stands — it was something bigger.
It was a reminder that greatness can begin anywhere.
That a small gym on the banks of the Hudson once produced a coach who changed basketball forever.
And that even when the scoreboard favors the other side, the heart of West Point never fades.
Final Score: Duke 114, Army 59
Location: Christl Arena, West Point, NY
Attendance: Record-breaking 5,326
A night of legends.
A night of history.
A night that West Point will remember forever.
