How It Happened
Senior Sabria Hunter powered the Army women’s basketball team to its first Patriot League victory of the season over Lafayette College, logging her seventh double-double of the season with 20 points and 17 rebounds, her first career 20/15 game. She also converted on 10-13 from the foul-line, her most ever foul shot makes as well.
Trailing 11-6 midway through the opening quarter Army used a 13-3 scoring run including a 10-0 run to grab the lead and never look back. Freshman Reese Ericson nailed a buzzer-beater from nearly halfcourt to end the quarter giving Army a 19-14 advantage. Hunter logged six points and three rebounds in the opening frame.
Early in the second, Lauren Lithgow knocked down a three-pointer to put Army up, 22-16.
In her second game back to action from injury, Trinity Hardy made an impressive steal which led to a fast break assist to Vasana Kearney. Hardy finished with three assists.
Lithgow connected from deep again later in the quarter. Lithgow’s now 22 threes on the season leads the team.
Army led by seven, 29-22 with three minutes to go until the break and used an 11-0 scoring run to close the half, including eight of those points by Hunter and a three-point make by Hope Brown.
Army won the second quarter 21-8, pacing out to an 18-point halftime lead, 40-22.
Hunter made 8-10 foul shots in the first half, her most in any game yet this season. She logged 14 points and nine rebounds. West Point dominated the glass in the opening half, 27 to 10 and offensively, 10 to 1.
Halee Smith nailed a three for Lafayette to open the scoring in the third quarter.
Sam McNaughton got Army on the board in the quarter knocking down a three-pointer and hitting a second three-pointer the very next possession to make the score, 46-29 Army.
In the fourth, Ericson heated up to keep Army securely in the lead, scoring 10 of her 16 points, including two fourth quarter three-point makes.
Jessica Booth scored 18 and Makayla Andrews scored 14 to pace Lafayette.
Army won the rebounding battle 49 to 27 and scored 16 second chance points to Lafayette’s three.
Inside the Box
The Black Knights will be back in action at Christl Arena on Thursday, January 5 at 6 p.m. to face Loyola Maryland.
For complete coverage of Army West Point women’s basketball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter @ArmyWP_WBB, on Instagram @armywestpointwbb, and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.