EUGENE, Ore. – The Army West Point women’s basketball team showed heart and grit but couldn’t overcome a dominant Big Ten opponent, falling 80-55 to Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Black Knights (3-1) suffered their first loss of the Katie Kuester era in front of 4,646 fans, but took valuable lessons from battling one of the nation’s most athletic programs. Senior forward Kya Smith delivered a game-high 20-point, seven-rebound performance—her second 20-point outing of the season and fourth of her career—leading Army’s effort against the undefeated Ducks.
The game also served as a homecoming for senior guard Reese Ericson, a Lake Oswego, Ore., native who grew up just 90 minutes north of Eugene. Ericson contributed six points and a team-high eight assists in front of family and friends.
Oregon’s Fast Start Sets the Tone
Oregon (4-0) came out firing and controlled the game for over 39 minutes. The Black Knights struggled to find their rhythm early, falling behind 14-2 eight minutes into the contest as the Ducks’ length and athleticism disrupted Army’s offensive flow.
Army closed the opening quarter on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-6, but Oregon’s balanced attack and relentless pressure kept the Black Knights at arm’s length throughout.
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Second-Quarter Surge Builds Momentum
The Black Knights found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 8-14 from the field and scoring 19 points. Taylor Wilson and Smith each added five points in the frame, while Camryn Tade chipped in four as the Black Knights cut into the lead.
Despite trailing 35-25 at halftime, Army carried momentum into the locker room and showed the resilience that has defined Kuester’s early tenure.
Third-Quarter Rally Falls Short
Oregon opened the second half with a 13-3 run to extend its lead to 48-28, threatening to blow the game open. But Army refused to fold.
The Black Knights responded with a 14-6 run to close the third quarter, fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Ericson and strong interior play from Smith. Army trailed just 54-42 heading into the final frame, keeping the game within reach.
Fatigue Takes Its Toll
The Ducks pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Army 26-13 over the final 10 minutes. Oregon’s depth and athleticism wore down the Black Knights, who committed a season-high 24 turnovers and struggled to generate consistent offense late.
Oregon placed five players in double figures, led by Mia Jacobs‘ 17 points. Katie Fiso recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the Ducks’ balanced attack. Amina Muhammad added 14 points off the bench, while Sofia Bell(14 points) and Sarah Rambus (12 points) provided additional firepower.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Oregon dominated the statistical battle, outscoring Army 30-9 in points off turnovers, 42-28 in the paint, and 21-11 in bench points. The Ducks also held a 31-23 rebounding advantage and shot 56.1 percent from the field, including a perfect 11-11 from the free-throw line.
Army finished shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 29.2 percent from three-point range, and 40.0 percent from the charity stripe. The Black Knights continued their strong ball movement with 16 assists but were undone by 24 turnovers—their highest total of the season.
Kuester: “We Never Gave In”
Despite the final margin, head coach Katie Kuester saw plenty of positives in her team’s performance.
“I think we really displayed our heart and our grit in moments. We never gave in, that’s for sure,” Kuester said. “I don’t think that the score is indicative of the outcome we had… At the halfway mark, we were exactly where we needed to be, but they hit big shots in big moments. It was tough to respond.”
Smith Continues Hot Start
Smith has now scored in double figures in all four games this season, establishing herself as Army’s go-to scorer. Her 20-point effort against Oregon showcased her versatility and toughness against elite competition.
Soleil Montrose provided a spark off the bench with eight points on 3-6 shooting, including 2-3 from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
Army returns home to Christl Arena on Thursday, Nov. 20, to host New Hampshire at 3 p.m. The Black Knights will look to bounce back in front of their home crowd and return to their winning ways.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ or listen on The Varsity Network.
Army Falls to 0-5 vs. Big Ten
The loss drops Army to 0-1 all-time against Oregon and 0-5 against Big Ten opponents. The Black Knights are now 1-1 on the road this season.
While the result wasn’t what Army wanted, the experience of competing against a top-tier program like Oregon will pay dividends as the season progresses. The Black Knights showed they can hang with elite competition—now they’ll look to finish those games.
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Kya Smith drops 20, but Army falls 80-55 to Oregon. Black Knights battle tough in Eugene but suffer first loss under Katie Kuester. Reese Ericson adds 8 assists. #GoArmy #ArmyWBB #NCAAWBB
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Categories: Women’s Basketball, College Basketball, Army Black Knights, NCAA Basketball, Patriot League
Tags: Army Women’s Basketball, Oregon Ducks, Kya Smith, Katie Kuester, Reese Ericson, Matthew Knight Arena, Big Ten Basketball, NCAA Women’s Basketball, Army Athletics, College Hoops, Black Knights, NCAAWBB, Women’s College Basketball, Patriot League Basketball, Army Sports
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