Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
7-1,0-0Patriot
University of New Hampshire
5-5,0-0America East
Women’s Basketball Holds Off New Hampshire
December 07, 2024 | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.H. – The Army West Point Women's Basketball team (7-1) edged out UNH in a nail-biting 60-59 victory.
Trinity Hardy led the Black Knights with a well-rounded performance, contributing six points, six assists, and five steals. Fiona Hastick was instrumental in the win, scoring 13 points with efficiency both in the paint and from beyond the arc.
Army's seven-game win streak marks their longest since the 2015-16 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Army came out strong, with Fiona Hastick opening the scoring with a three-pointer off an assist from Trinity Hardy. Moments later, Reese Ericson added another triple, extending the lead to 6-2.
Capitalizing on turnovers, Ericson and Hastick drained back-to-back threes, fueling a 12-2 Army run. Hardy capped the surge with a three-pointer at the 6:47 mark.
Despite Army's hot start, New Hampshire fought to stay within reach, converting two free throws and a fast-break layup. Army led 21-15 after the first quarter, powered by six three-pointers.
The second quarter slowed as defenses tightened. Kya Smith's second-chance layup and subsequent free throw stretched Army's lead to 24-15. Turnovers plagued both teams, but Taylor Wilson's fast-break layup after an Army steal pushed the lead back to double digits.
New Hampshire managed two late free throws, but a last-second jumper by Ericson gave Army a 31-20 halftime advantage.
The Wildcats roared back with a 13-0 run early in the third quarter, taking their first lead at 33-32. Hardy ended Army's scoring drought by sinking two free throws, tying the game.
The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle, culminating in a step-back jumper by New Hampshire to tie the game at 41-41 heading into the fourth. Army managed only three field goals in the third, struggling to contain New Hampshire's momentum.
In the final frame, Hardy's steal and fast-break layup quickly put Army ahead 43-41. Although New Hampshire briefly regained the lead with a three-pointer, Hastick responded with consecutive layups to make it 47-44. A critical block by Kya Smith on the Wildcat's fast-break attempt preserved Army's edge.
With under a minute to play, New Hampshire scored in the paint to take a 59-58 lead. On the next possession, Camryn Tade drew a foul and calmly sank two clutch free throws, reclaiming the lead at 60-59.
Army's defense held firm on the final possession, with Hardy's steal sealing the victory.
NEXT UP
Army will travel to Washington, D.C., on Friday to face Howard University in an afternoon matchup set for 2:00 p.m.
