Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
7-2,0-0Patriot
Howard University
6-5,0-0MEAC
Women’s Basketball Falls to Howard
December 13, 2024 | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Army West Point women's basketball team (7-2) was edged out by Howard (6-5) in a hard-fought 61-54 loss on Friday afternoon.
Trinity Hardy led the Black Knights with 18 points, while Kya Smith dominated in the paint, recording a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Camryn Tade and Taylor Wilson also contributed 11 points each in the team's effort.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Army West Point opened the game with strong defensive energy, highlighted by an early steal from Fiona Hastick. However, the team struggled offensively, missing key shots in the opening minutes.
Kya Smith broke the scoring drought with a layup to tie the game at 2-2, followed by a driving layup from Trinity Hardy that gave Army a brief 4-3 lead—their only lead of the quarter. Howard quickly responded with a series of quick baskets to seize momentum, while Army's offense struggled to find a rhythm, shooting just 31.3% from the field in the first quarter. A late three-pointer from Hardy trimmed Howard's lead to 19-13 at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Army faced defensive challenges as Howard extended their lead to double digits. Turnovers proved costly, creating opportunities for the opposition. However, Camryn Tade added a driving layup, and the Black Knights pieced together a 7-0 run late in the quarter to keep the game within reach. Taylor Wilson capped off the first half with a critical three-pointer with four seconds remaining, narrowing the deficit to 33-23 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Army surge back into the game. Wilson and Hardy ignited a 7-0 run that brought the Black Knights within three points. Hardy's fast-break layup following a steal energized the team, and Wilson's deep three-pointer cut Howard's lead to 35-32 midway through the quarter. Smith's dominance in the paint continued with crucial rebounds and a layup, helping Army close the quarter trailing just 41-38.
In the final frame, Army stayed within striking distance. Wilson hit another clutch three-pointer early, and Hastick's layup narrowed the gap to 49-46. With a minute left, Tade drained back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Black Knights within five points at 59-54. However, Howard sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final seconds.
UP NEXT
The Black Knights will have an extended break before returning to action against Mt. Saint Mary College on December 29 at home.
