Kenon scores 24 as Virginia Military Institute holds off Army 93-86

Associated Press

Last update: November 13, 2009 - 9:44 PM

LEXINGTON, Va. - Austin Kenon scored 24 points and Virginia Military Institute held off Army 93-86 in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.

Kenon was only 3-for-11 from the field, but went 17-for-20 from the free throw line for the Keydets.

VMI took a 43-36 lead into halftime, then extended the lead to 10 points on a 3-pointer by Ron Burks, who finished with 15 points.

The Black Knights, playing their first game under new coach Zach Spiker, used an 11-0 run to pull ahead 47-46, but the Keydets responded with their own 8-0 run.

Army eventually tied the game at 79, then VMI scored six unanswered points to take control down the stretch.

Michael Sparks added 18 points for the Keydets, who had five players in double figures.

Tyrell Thompson and Cleveland Richard led Army with 14 points each. Jeremy Hence added nine rebounds as Army won the rebounding battle 43-29.

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