Army Women’s Basketball Survives the Storm in Baltimore: Tade’s Career Night Lifts Black Knights Past Loyola Maryland, 71-66

BALTIMORE, MD — If you weren’t in Reitz Arena Wednesday night, let’s fix that. Picture the clock ticking, the band echoing off the rafters, and every Army bucket met with a roar that made 205 fans sound like 2,000. This was no bland box score—this was a battle, a test of nerves, and a showcase of what makes Army women’s basketball a must-watch.

Lightning Start: Army’s Opening Blitz

Before Loyola Maryland could blink, Army was everywhere—diving for loose balls, swarming on defense, and lighting up the scoreboard. Camryn Tade, playing like the floor was hers alone, and Taylor Wilson carved up the Greyhounds for a 14-2 run in the opening minutes. The Black Knights shot 6-for-8 to start, forcing Loyola into a desperate early timeout. Army’s bench was up, the crowd was stunned, and you could feel the confidence radiate from the Black and Gold.

The Second-Quarter Avalanche

Loyola tried to settle, but Army had other ideas. With the score 21-16, Brooke Wilson calmly knocked down a pair of free throws, and then the Black Knights detonated a 14-0 run that felt like a tidal wave. Soleil Montrose’s mid-range jumper was pure, then Tade took over—eight straight points, each one louder than the last, capped by Reese Ericson’s deep three that sent the Army bench into a frenzy.

By halftime, Army led 35-20. The defense was suffocating, holding Loyola to just 32% shooting. Tade had 10 points, and the Black Knights had the swagger of a team on a mission.

Black Knights News:

• Camryn Tade’s 26 points are the second most by an Army player this season (Kya Smith had 27 vs. Howard).
• Army Falls in Overtime Heartbreaker to Loyola Maryland
• Army Junior Brent Keefer Named Atlantic Hockey Forward of the Week

Grit and Guts: The Second Half

The third quarter was a grind. Loyola pushed back, the crowd got loud, and Army’s offense hit a cold spell—just 4-of-14 from the field. But here’s what makes this team different: they never flinched. Every loose ball was a scrum, every rebound a war. Kya Smith cleaned the glass with 12 boards, and Reganne Reardon fought for every inch in the paint. Even as Loyola chipped away, Army’s defense and hustle kept the lead at double digits heading into the fourth.

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The Final Test: Loyola’s Furious Rally

You could feel the tension. Army stretched the lead to 18 with three minutes left—surely the game was over? Not so fast. Loyola unleashed a 12-2 run, the crowd on its feet, the noise deafening. Suddenly, it was 68-60 with under a minute to play. Every possession was a gut check.

Enter Camryn Tade. Ice in her veins, she calmly sank clutch free throws, silencing the Greyhounds’ rally. When the final horn sounded, Army had survived, 71-66, and you could feel the relief and pride radiate from the huddle.

Camryn Tade: The Relentless Star

Tade played like a woman possessed—career-high 26 points, 8-for-14 shooting, three triples, and seven points in the fourth quarter when Army needed her most. She was everywhere: slicing through defenders, burying threes, drawing fouls, and leading by example. Head coach Katie Kuester put it best: “I don’t care how ugly it is. A win is a win. Camryn had big buckets and big moments. She’s relentless, she’s strong, and she’s impossible to guard when she’s in this zone.”

By the Numbers

• Army: 39.3% FG, 8-26 3PT, 19-24 FT, 34 rebounds, 17 assists, 7 steals
• Loyola: 38.2% FG, 4-13 3PT, 20-27 FT, 37 rebounds, 15 turnovers
• Top Performers:
  • Camryn Tade: 26 points (career high), 7-10 FT
  • Reese Ericson: 12 points (4 made threes)
  • Reganne Reardon: 10 points, 5 rebounds
  • Kya Smith: Game-high 12 rebounds, career-high 7 assists

Army never trailed—leading for 39:48 of 40 minutes. The Black Knights won fast break points 10-0, bench points 14-12, and proved they can win even when losing the rebounding battle.

You Were There: The Sights, The Sounds

The Army bench lived every moment—standing, shouting, celebrating every hustle play. The crowd’s energy was electric, the tension thick enough to cut. When Tade drained a three in front of the bench, the reaction was pure joy—teammates leaping, coaches fist-pumping, fans on their feet. Every defensive stop felt like a mini-victory. Every bucket, a battle won.

What’s Next

Army (11-3, 2-1) returns home Saturday to face Boston U. at Christl Arena. If you haven’t seen this team live, now’s your chance. Bring your voice, bring your energy—this team feeds off it.

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