Dillon Watt’s Late Three Lifts Army West Point Past St. Thomas, 79-77

By: Harrison Aaron | Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | November 14, 2026 |

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Dillon Watt delivered the decisive shot for Army West Point against St. Thomas, turning a one-point deficit into a lead the Black Knights would not surrender.

Trailing by one with 1:11 remaining, Watt hit a three-pointer to put Army ahead 79–77 at Christl Arena on Saturday. The Black Knights protected that lead through the final possessions to complete the comeback. Army overcame a 39–35 halftime deficit in a contest featuring 11 ties and 13 lead changes. Kevin McCarthy led the Black Knights with 18 points, while Watt finished with a career-high 16, including important baskets after halftime. Hayden Tibbits scored 21 points to lead St. Thomas.

St. Thomas Sets the Early Pace

St. Thomas established its rhythm early, spreading the offense across several contributors and challenging Army to keep pace from the perimeter. Tibbits got his team started by draining a 3-pointer, but Jacen Holloway answered right back with one for Army. The teams exchanged the lead several times throughout the first half because neither side was able to take full control. The outside shooting by Army kept them competitive. Jaden Ellis and Dylan Benner drained a pair of 3s, while Deke Cooper Jr. contributed some assists.

St. Thomas gained separation late in the half by continuing to convert from the outside. With 1:35 to go before the break, Tibbits nailed a 3-pointer to give St. Thomas a 39–33 advantage. Then Ryan Curry answered for Army, narrowing the margin to 39–35 at halftime. St. Thomas shot 60.9% in the first half, while Army shot 46.4%. Army, however, made eight 3-pointers on 17 tries in order to keep the deficit in check.

Army Adjusts After Halftime

After the break, Army quickly tightened the game up when Watt hit a 3 to cut the lead to 39–38. McCarthy then drained a 3, making the score 41–41. Army kept up the pressure and took a 51–45 lead when Holloway sank another 3-pointer. But St. Thomas fought back and responded with an 8–0 run, taking a 53–51 lead.

Neither team could sustain control for long. Each offensive surge drew an answer, and the lead continued to change hands as the game moved toward its final minutes. Army’s offense clicked after the break as Army shot 56.3% in the second half compared to 46.4% in the first half in order to stay within striking distance of a late comeback. In addition, Army’s inside game improved as they scored 24 second-half points in the paint compared to 10 points in the first half. That improvement gave Army more ways to score. Rather than relying exclusively on perimeter shooting, the Black Knights found points inside and kept pressure on St. Thomas as the lead changed hands.

Watt Delivers the Decisive Three

With just over six minutes to go, St. Thomas had a 67–63 lead. Then McCarthy ignited Army’s comeback with a three to give Army the lead 68–67. Watt then added a layup, putting Army up 70–67. Tibbits responded by nailing another three, tying it at 70–70 in preparation for a close finish.

The teams exchanged leads once again until Brogan Madson gave St. Thomas a 75–74 lead with 2:26 remaining. Then McCarthy got a layup at the 1:48 mark, putting Army ahead 76–75. Then Tibbits converted two free throws, giving St. Thomas a 77–76 lead with 1:31 to go. Army needed one more answer, and Watt delivered from beyond the arc.

His three-pointer with 1:11 remaining put Army ahead 79–77. St. Thomas had several chances to answer but couldn’t convert, and Army won by two points. The final sequence underscored Army’s composure: after surrendering the lead in the closing minutes, the Black Knights responded with the game’s last basket and made it stand.

Key Performances and the Defensive Challenge

Kevin McCarthy scored a team-high 18 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and going 4-for-8 on three-pointers. Watt finished with 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting, with three 3-pointers. Curry and Tate Laczkowski each scored 11 points. Curry also dished out five assists, while Laczkowski collected seven rebounds. For St. Thomas, Tibbits finished with 21 points and six assists.

Army finished with 17 assists and 28 rebounds, while St. Thomas finished with 11 assists and 25 rebounds. Army’s second-half shooting and increased production in the paint helped offset St. Thomas’ efficient offense. The Black Knights also held a 10–3 edge in fast-break points, finding additional scoring opportunities in transition. The defensive questions remain. St. Thomas shot 57.1% from the floor, a figure that highlights how much pressure Army’s offense faced to keep pace. Against opponents capable of sustaining that level of efficiency, the Black Knights will need more consistent stops rather than depending on another late shot. After its dramatic late-game win at Manhattan last season, the comeback offered another example of Army executing when the game tightens, with McCarthy providing steady production and Watt supplying the defining moment. The next challenge is pairing that offensive resilience with more reliable defense so close games do not always require a final-minute rescue.