WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women’s basketball team delivered its most complete performance of the season Thursday afternoon, dismantling New Hampshire 63-44 at Christl Arena in a statement bounce-back win.
The Black Knights (4-1) showcased their best defensive effort of the year, holding the Wildcats (2-4) to a season-low 44 points and just 34.0 percent shooting from the field. On the other end, Army posted its most efficient offensive game, shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from three-point range.
Senior forward Kya Smith continued her dominant start to the season, recording her third double-double in the last four games with a game-high 18 points and 14 rebounds. Smith is now averaging 16.4 points and 10.0 rebounds through five games and has scored in double figures in every contest this season.
Smith Sets the Tone Early
Army came out firing, with Smith scoring the first three baskets—including a three-pointer—to stake the Black Knights to a quick 7-0 lead. The early statement set the tone for what would be a wire-to-wire victory.
“They showed a lot of toughness… Such a gritty and tough win,” head coach Katie Kuester said. “I really wanted to hold [New Hampshire] to under 40 points, and we were really close to doing that. Overall, just really pleased. A great team effort and phenomenal win. Just so proud.”
Camryn Tade added five points in the opening quarter as Army shot 7-14 from the field. Despite the strong start, New Hampshire stayed within striking distance thanks to a perfect 4-4 performance from the free-throw line, trailing just 16-13 after one quarter.
Battling Through Adversity
The victory was even more impressive considering Army’s grueling travel schedule. The Black Knights had just returned from a West Coast trip to Oregon on a red-eye flight, Monday morning after traveling from Minnesota the previous week.
“Traveling in from Minnesota, we got in at like 5 a.m. I think it was that next morning, maybe Sunday morning, and then we go to Oregon that Friday and come back on a red eye Monday morning,” Kuester explained. “There were moments—I think I took points away from Reganne Reardon just calling a timeout because our girls just needed a break at one point.”
Second-Quarter Surge Builds Cushion
The Black Knights turned up the heat in the second quarter, extending their lead to as many as 12 points. Soleil Montrose buried a pair of three-pointers to lead Army with six points in the frame, while the team’s ball movement was on full display.
Army recorded six assists on seven made field goals in the quarter, showcasing the unselfish play that has defined Katie Kuester’s early tenure. Defensively, the Black Knights clamped down, limiting New Hampshire to just 12 points on 5-12 shooting.
At halftime, Army was shooting 53.8 percent from the field while holding the Wildcats to 40.9 percent. Smith led all players with 11 points and three rebounds, while Tade was close behind with 10. Eight of nine Army players who saw action in the first half recorded at least one assist, totaling 10 first-half helpers.
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Montrose Provides Spark Off the Bench
When Brooke Wilson got into early foul trouble, Montrose stepped up in a big way, providing instant offense and energy off the bench.
“I tell Soleil all the time, I want to get her in there for 20-plus minutes,” Kuester said. “I’m just so proud of what she brings to the table. But she does it in practice every single day. And just ecstatic that she’s reaping the rewards of her hard work. Because she’s another kid that’s in the gym all the time. I mean, after shoot-around today, she’s in the gym shooting for an extra 15 to 20 minutes because that’s just her routine. So she’s prepared for the moment.”
Montrose finished with 10 points on 4-7 shooting, including 2-3 from beyond the arc, in 18 minutes off the bench.
Defense Dominates Second Half
Army maintained its momentum in the third quarter, outscoring New Hampshire 16-9 while tightening the defensive screws even further. The Wildcats managed just 4-9 shooting from the field and committed nine turnovers in the frame as the Black Knights’ pressure forced mistake after mistake.
The defensive dominance carried into the fourth quarter, where New Hampshire collapsed completely. The Wildcats shot a dismal 3-16 from the field in the final 10 minutes, with two of those three made baskets coming from beyond the arc—including one at the buzzer.
Kuester credited assistant coach Maggie with the defensive adjustments at halftime.
“Honestly, I give a lot of credit to Coach Maggie on our staff. She handles our defense, and she had to get into them a little bit at halftime and just kind of challenge them to connect more on our communication and making sure that we’re aligned in every single coverage,” Kuester said. “We didn’t see that connectivity as much in the first half, but that second half, I mean, I know that third quarter, we held them to nine, and then in the fourth quarter, with the exception of that last three, we held them to seven. Very, very pleased to hold two quarters to single digits.”
Smith controlled the glass in the fourth quarter, grabbing eight of her 14 rebounds in the final frame to seal the victory.
Balanced Scoring Attack
While Smith led the way, Army’s offensive balance was a key factor in the blowout win. Taylor Wilson added 15 points, Tade finished with 14, and Montrose contributed 10 as four Black Knights scored in double figures.
The quartet combined to shoot an efficient 23-39 from the field, overwhelming a New Hampshire defense that had no answers.
Historic Performance from Smith
Smith’s 14 rebounds are the most by an Army player since she grabbed 14 against American last season. Her 18-point, 14-rebound performance marked the first time a Black Knight has recorded at least 18 points and 14 rebounds in a game since Sabrina Hunter posted 18 points and 16 rebounds against Colgate on Feb. 15, 2023.
Smith shot an impressive 8-11 from the field and has now scored in double digits in all five games this season, establishing herself as one of the premier players in the Patriot League.
Kuester praised Smith’s continued development, particularly her expanding offensive arsenal.
“I love coaching that kid. I want her to take more threes because she’s worked so hard on it, and you could see her lining it up. Obviously, she made one, so I’m really pleased with her for taking that. I just want more of that because again, she’s worked so hard on it,” Kuester said. “Her back-to-the-basket game has developed a ton. I give a lot of credit to Coach Nell on our staff, just being able to visualize looks she’s going to get before every game and then it coming to fruition and her executing.”
Kuester also highlighted Smith’s unselfish approach.
“She’s still so selfless, always looking for her teammates. She’s a kid that I would want her to be my teammate because she’s just so fun to watch, but fun to play with.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
Army’s defensive dominance was evident across the board. The Black Knights held New Hampshire to its worst shooting performance of the season (34.0 percent), forced 23 turnovers (Army’s most forced turnovers this season), and limited the Wildcats to just 18 points in the paint.
Katie Ledden led New Hampshire with 10 points, but no other Wildcat reached double figures.
Army won the rebounding battle 28-27 despite New Hampshire’s size, thanks largely to Smith’s 14 boards. The Black Knights also dominated in points off turnovers (19-10), points in the paint (34-18), and fast break points (6-4).
Army’s 14 assists on 25 made field goals demonstrated the team’s unselfish approach and crisp ball movement.
“It gives me chills, honestly. It’s a brand of basketball that I love to coach, I love to be around. It means that they have genuine joy for each other in terms of them passing to each other and not caring who the leading scorer is on any given night,” Kuester said. “And they just, they know the next pass is there because they trust that their teammates are there. And I tell our girls all the time, stay shot ready, because your teammates are going to put you in successful positions and you got to be ready to knock it down.”
Consistent Starting Five
The Black Knights have now used the same starting lineup in all five games this season: Reese Ericson, Brooke Wilson, Tade, Wilson, and Smith. The continuity has been a key factor in Army’s strong start under first-year head coach Katie Kuester.
Looking Ahead
Army hits the road for one final game before Thanksgiving, traveling to Loretto, Pa., on Saturday afternoon to take on Saint Francis. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., with a link to the broadcast available on goarmywestpoint.com/wbbwatch.
The Black Knights will look to carry their defensive intensity and offensive efficiency into their second road test of the season.
Kuester’s approach heading into the quick turnaround? Stay true to the team’s identity.
“Honestly, I am 10 toes down in the moment. Something about me is I did not look ahead to St. Francis one bit. I’m sure they’re going to give us their best punch. I’m going to attack the film the second I get home,” Kuester said. “But we just got to be exactly who we are. And that’s what I say every day. Be who we are, because people walk into our gym and watch us play and they see the joy in each other’s eyes. They see the passion that we play with and that stuff travels. So those are controllables that are gonna travel with us to St. Francis on that five-hour bus ride. And we’re excited to get on the road together and have another opportunity to get our fifth win.”
Army Improves to 5-2 All-Time vs. New Hampshire
The victory improves Army to 5-2 all-time against New Hampshire and gives the Black Knights momentum heading into a challenging stretch of the schedule.
With Smith playing at an elite level and the defense rounding into form, Army is proving it can compete with anyone in the Patriot League and beyond.
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