WORCESTER, MA — Army West Point walked into the Hart Center with a chance to keep pace near the top of the Patriot League standings. Instead, the Black Knights left with a familiar road lesson: when the offense disappears for long stretches, even a strong defensive identity can’t save you.
Holy Cross outlasted Army 63–48 on Saturday afternoon, evening the season series at 1–1 after Army’s 61–46 home win on Jan. 14. The loss dropped Army to 16–5 (7–3 Patriot League), while the Crusaders improved to 13–8 (7–3).
Army’s issues weren’t complicated. The Black Knights couldn’t generate consistent half-court offense, couldn’t finish at the line, and couldn’t match Holy Cross’ physicality around the rim for 40 minutes.
A Fast Start, Then a Long Freeze
Army opened the game exactly the way you want to start a road contest: composed and confident.
Kya Smith and Brooke Wilson each knocked down early threes to give Army a 6–2 lead. But that brief burst became the exception, not the tone.
Holy Cross answered with a 9–0 run, and Army’s offense never truly recovered. The Black Knights scored just one point over the final 2:02 of the first quarter and trailed 13–9 after one.
After making its first two shots, Army went 1-for-12 the rest of the opening period. Holy Cross immediately established the paint as its advantage, outscoring Army 12–2 inside in the first quarter.
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Second Quarter: Missed Chances, Missed Rhythm
The second quarter offered opportunities to stabilize, but Army couldn’t string together enough quality possessions to cut into the deficit.
At the media timeout with 4:55 left before halftime, Holy Cross led 20–16. Army then scored only three points the rest of the half, heading to the locker room down 29–19.
At the break, the contrast was stark: Army shot 25.9% from the field, while Holy Cross hit 52%.
Third Quarter: The Surge That Made It a Game
For a stretch after halftime, Army looked like the team that has been winning in league play.
Reese Ericson buried a three 13 seconds into the second half, and the Black Knights finally found tempo. When the game threatened to slip away, Taylor Wilson’s layup just before a media timeout kept the deficit manageable.
Then came the best stretch of the afternoon for Army.
Freshman Reganne Reardon scored eight straight points, flipping momentum and giving Army the lead late in the third. Camryn Tade added a three to cap a 13–0 run, and Army carried a 38–37 lead into the fourth.
It was the kind of response that should travel: poise, pressure, and just enough shot-making to turn a slow day into a winnable one.
Fuel the Fortress
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Fourth Quarter: Holy Cross Closes, Army Goes Cold Again
Army’s problem wasn’t that it never played well. It was that it couldn’t sustain it.
Holy Cross regained the lead just over a minute into the fourth and immediately separated with efficient shot-making and paint touches. The Crusaders outscored Army 26–10 in the final period and shot 9-for-11 in the quarter.
Army, meanwhile, went 4-for-18 from the field in the fourth. The Black Knights also left points behind at the free-throw line, finishing 4-for-14 (28.6%).
That combination — cold shooting and empty trips — is how a one-point lead becomes a 15-point loss.
Tade Stays Steady, Even When the Offense Doesn’t
Even on a day when Army struggled to score, Camryn Tade continued her consistent run, leading the Black Knights with 12 points.
Tade has now scored 12 or more points in 10 of her last 12 games, providing Army with a reliable baseline when possessions get tight.
Brooke Wilson and Reardon added 10 points apiece.
By the Numbers
- Final: Holy Cross 63, Army 48
- Army shooting: 33.3% FG, 27.3% 3PT, 28.6% FT
- Holy Cross shooting: 50.0% FG
- Points in the paint: Holy Cross 30, Army 20
- Fast break points: Holy Cross 7, Army 0
- Rebounds: Army 35, Holy Cross 34
What It Means
Army has proven it can win in this league. It has also repeatedly shown that the margin on the road is thinner, and the offensive floor has to rise.
The third quarter was evidence that Army can manufacture momentum with defense and toughness. The fourth quarter was a reminder that you still have to score, and you still have to make free throws.
Up Next
Army returns to Christl Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 4, hosting Colgate for Education Day. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. on ESPN+ and The Varsity Network.
If the Black Knights want a response game, the blueprint is simple: keep the defensive edge — and bring the offense with them for all four quarters.
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