WEST POINT, N.Y. - The US Military Academy rode a superb second-half performance to outstrip Navy and win the annual rivalry game 41-24 on a snow-covered Anderson Rugby Complex.

Jake Banarhall scored three tries for the Black Knights in the second half to help secure the victory as Army posted 36 second half points.

"It was a typical Army-Navy game and they were in every bit of it," said Head Coach Mike Mahan. "In the second half the guys just decided they were going to put their foot on the gas and not let up. It was just an awesome second half and they did a great job."

Army got on the board first with captain Collum Magee setting the pace, recording a diving try in the 17th minute to put the Black Knights up by a score of 5-0.

Navy took the 7-5 advantage in the 30th minute with a try and successful conversion and the Black Knights headed into the break with a two-point deficit.

Andy Sullivan swung the momentum back in favor of the Black Knights when he posted a try in the 41st minute. Dan Myers connected on the kick to put Army up by a mark of 12-7.

The Midshipmen rattled off back-to-back scores in the 45th and 53rd minutes to go up by a score of 17-12 before Banarhall returned the favor.

The junior recorded scores in the 54th and 57th minutes to earn the 22-17 advantage.

Navy would respond in the 66th minute to regain the two-point lead. That, however, would be the final points of the afternoon for the Midshipmen as the Black Knights took control of the game.

Plebe David Huff used his speed to run in for a try down the Army sideline as Myers converted the kick to give Army the 29-22 lead. With the momentum firmly on the Black Knights' side, Banarhall scored his third of the afternoon and Myers added the conversion as Army went up by a mark of 36-24.

Andrew Fargo sealed the deal for his top-ranked squad as he earned a score in the waning seconds of regulation to seal the 41-24 victory.

"Beating Navy is all about the intensity and hard work," said Banarhall. "At the half it was 5-7 and then all of a sudden it got turned up. That's Army-Navy. It's just about tight game play and everything is close. No one is willing to lose. We amplified our offense. Our defense was strong in the first half but we didn't' really have the possession and that was our main goal. We could outplay the Navy team and we did."

The win improves Army to a mark of 15-1 overall, having earned seven consecutive wins to open the spring season. They remain unblemished in regular season action.

The Black Knights will return to action on Saturday, April 4 when they host second-ranked St. Mary's from Anderson Rugby Complex. Navy next faces Dartmouth in the opening round of the Varsity Cup.