RICHMOND, KY – Eastern Kentucky controlled the interior and capitalized on second-chance opportunities to defeat Army West Point 74-64 on Saturday at McBrayer Arena, outscoring the Black Knights 42-14 in the paint.
Colonels Control the Glass
Eastern Kentucky (EKU) established dominance early and never relinquished control, leading for over 34 minutes of game action. The Colonels’ 34-27 rebounding advantage proved decisive, translating into nine second-chance points compared to Army’s two.
The game featured five ties and nine lead changes in a competitive first half, but Eastern Kentucky seized control midway through the opening quarter and maintained their advantage throughout.
Ericson Shines Despite Loss
Army West Point’s Reese Ericson delivered an efficient 17-point performance, connecting on 6-of-10 shooting including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. The sharpshooter provided the Black Knights’ primary offensive spark in an otherwise difficult shooting night, playing a team-high 37 minutes.
Kaitlyn Smith added 14 points on a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, while Taylor Wilson contributed 12 points despite battling foul trouble throughout the contest. Brooke Wilson posted a well-rounded stat line with 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 26 minutes.
Army’s largest lead came early in the first quarter at 8-5, but the Black Knights struggled to generate consistent offense inside against EKU’s length and physicality.
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Balanced Attack Powers EKU
Eastern Kentucky received balanced scoring from four players in double figures. Joseana Vaz and Liz Freihofer each tallied 12 points, with Freihofer adding a game-high eight rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes. Althe Angeles orchestrated the offense with eight assists while chipping in 11 points, and Kyla Woods added 10 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting.
The Colonels’ bench provided crucial support, outscoring Army’s reserves 25-5. Madison Lewis contributed nine points off the bench, while Kailani Lindsey added nine points and six rebounds in 21 minutes of reserve action.
Freihofer and Angeles were particularly effective in transition, combining for multiple assists on fast-break opportunities that extended EKU’s lead in critical moments.
Shooting Woes Plague Army
Army West Point struggled from the field all afternoon, shooting just 34.7% (17-of-49) overall. The Black Knights managed only 14 points in the paint and couldn’t overcome EKU’s 52% shooting performance.
Despite connecting on 42.1% from three-point range (8-of-19) and an impressive 88% from the free-throw line (22-of-25), Army’s inability to generate interior offense proved costly. The Black Knights were blocked nine times, with Freihofer recording four rejections and Bradley adding three.
Army committed 16 turnovers that led to 19 EKU points, while the Colonels’ 17 turnovers resulted in just 13 Army points.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: EKU jumped out to a 19-14 lead behind balanced scoring and aggressive defense. Freihofer’s two late layups, including one on the fast break, gave the Colonels momentum heading into the second period.
Second Quarter: Army battled back with Ericson’s hot shooting, briefly taking a 29-28 lead on his fourth three-pointer of the half. EKU responded with an 8-0 run, fueled by bench contributions from Lewis and Ndukwe, to take a 36-33 halftime advantage.
Third Quarter: The Colonels extended their lead despite multiple ties. EKU’s interior defense stifled Army’s attempts to drive, blocking six shots in the period. The quarter ended with EKU leading 52-47.
Fourth Quarter: Eastern Kentucky pulled away with a decisive 10-2 run midway through the period. Woods’ stepback three-pointer pushed the lead to 62-51 with 3:58 remaining, effectively sealing the victory. Angeles iced the game with six free throws in the final minute.
Key Statistics
- Points in Paint: EKU 42, Army 14
- Bench Points: EKU 25, Army 5
- Second-Chance Points: EKU 9, Army 2
- Rebounds: EKU 34, Army 25
- Field Goal %: EKU 52%, Army 35%
- Blocks: EKU 9, Army 4
- Fast Break Points: EKU 6, Army 8
Black Knights News
- Army Football Preview: One More Opportunity to Become Bowl Eligible Against UTSA
- Army West Point Ends Six-Game Skid with 81-73 Victory over FDU in Thanksgiving Classic
- Army Losses Ninth Straight Game in “Dejecting” 3-1 Loss to Bentley
- Army West Point Men’s Basketball Falls to East Texas A&M 67-84 in FDU Thanksgiving Classic Opener
Looking Ahead
Army West Point will look to regroup and address interior defense concerns as they continue their season. The Black Knights’ perimeter shooting remains a strength, but generating consistent offense inside will be crucial moving forward.
Eastern Kentucky’s balanced attack and physical presence in the paint signal a team capable of controlling tempo and dictating matchups. The Colonels’ depth proved decisive, with seven players contributing meaningful minutes.
Final Score: Eastern Kentucky 74, Army West Point 64
Location: McBrayer Arena, Richmond, KY
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