West Point, NY – In her debut as head coach at Army West Point, Katie Kuester guided the Black Knights to a commanding 86-50 victory over Pace University, with guards Taylor Wilson and Reese Ericson combining for 38 points in a three-point shooting clinic. Katie is the first coach in Army Women’s basketball to win her debut game since 2005-06 when Maggie Dixon accomplished the feat.
The Black Knights went 14-for-41 from beyond the arc, with Wilson and Ericson each draining six three-pointers. Wilson finished with 20 points while Ericson added 18 in the season-opening statement win.
Confidence Culture Fuels Offensive Explosion
“I think it’s the confidence that everyone in the gym and all of our coaches instill in us daily,” Ericson said after the game. “Coach Katie never tells us to stop shooting the ball. We could be 0-for-8 in practice or 8-for-8. She’ll never tell us to stop shooting, and she instills so much confidence in us daily.”
That philosophy comes directly from Kuester’s own playing experience as a three-point specialist at Saint Joseph’s, where she spent 11 years as both a player and assistant coach before making the move to West Point.
Army senior guard Reese Ericson drains one of her six three-pointers in the Black Knights’ 86-50 season-opening victory over Pace University. Mandatory Credit: Army Athletics Army junior forward Taylor Wilson launches one of her six three-pointers in the Black Knights’ 86-50 win over Pace University. The Archbishop John Carroll product led all scorers with 20 points. Mandatory Credit: Army Athletics
“The second I tell Taylor to stop shooting the ball, I’m probably in my grave,” Kuester said with a smile. “You have to promote that environment of confidence and inject that into them, because as a shooter, there’s nothing that can stiffen you up more than someone telling you not to shoot the ball.”
Defensive Discipline Sets the Tone
Beyond the offensive fireworks, Army’s defensive discipline stood out in stark contrast to national trends. While the sixth-ranked team in the country committed 11 fouls in a single half elsewhere, the Black Knights finished the entire game with just 11 team fouls.
“I’m proud because I think we represent a brand of physicality with Army women’s basketball,” Kuester said. “I’m just happy that we were able to play that way and display it.”
The defense held Pace to just 50 points, with Ciara Collins leading the Setters with 20 points. Army’s Kya Smith added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Brooke Wilson contributed nine assists in the balanced attack.
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Building Something Special
For Kuester, the transition from Saint Joseph’s to West Point represents more than just a career move—it’s a calling she couldn’t ignore.
“I thought I was going to be a lifer at St. Joe’s,” Kuester admitted. “But from the first call about West Point, it all of a sudden became something that I wanted more than anything in my life. A lot of that was just hearing about the camaraderie, the culture, the unity.”
That culture was on full display as the bench erupted when reserves and freshmen earned playing time in the blowout victory. Wilson emphasized the team’s depth and unity.
“One through 14 work equally as hard and are equally as deserving of that opportunity,” Wilson said. “We love this team. Love the girls. They earned it. They came in and they hit shots. It wasn’t given to them; they took it.”
The Army Difference
Both players spoke passionately about what makes playing at a military academy unique.
“It’s definitely a unique challenge, but we have so much love and support,” Wilson said. “All the cadets who come, all the support staff, all the faculty—it’s amazing. It’s an honor to wear Army across our chest every single day and to do it with the people that we love.”
Ericson added: “This team is some of the most well-rounded people. Everyone is of the highest quality academically, physically, and character-wise especially. We’re a great basketball team, but we also have a lot of love for the game and for each other.”
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Looking Ahead
Kuester’s first victory as a head coach was less about personal achievement and more about the journey that brought her team to this moment.
“Honestly, it’s not as much personally,” Kuester reflected. “I just reflect upon the journey that it’s been to get here. I think about our girls—they deserve so much. They work so hard every single day. I’ve never been around a group that has worked harder than them.”
With the season-opening win secured, Kuester has one immediate goal for her offense: “I want to get up to 38 percent. We’re at 34. We’ll obviously get there.”
If opening night was any indication, the Black Knights—and their new head coach—are just getting started.
Army West Point improves to 1-0 on the season and will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign under first-year head coach Katie Kuester.
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