Women’s Basketball Uses Dominant Defense to Bury Colgate, 59–35

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Education Day at Christl Arena turned into a defensive clinic, as Army West Point women’s basketball smothered Colgate for a 59–35 Patriot League win.

Army (17–5, 8–3) held Colgate (6–16, 2–9) to 28.9% shooting and 2-for-14 from three, one of the Black Knights’ best opponent shooting performances of the season and a reminder of what this group hangs its identity on.

After a tense road loss at Holy Cross, Army led for 39:11 and never trailed.

First-half punch, full-game pressure

The Black Knights set the tone early. Fiona Hastick and Reese Ericson buried back-to-back threes to open a 9–2 burst, and the Black Knights carried a 17–7 lead after one.

The second quarter was the separator. After Colgate scored first, Army ripped off an 11–0 run — capped by a Soleil Montrose layup — and took a 38–15 lead into halftime.

The offense cooled after the break, but the defense didn’t. Colgate went 3-for-13 in the third quarter, and even with Army’s shooting dipping late, the lead never fell below 23 in the fourth.

Black Knights News:

• Baseball’s Quinlan Named to Buster Posey Award Preseason Watch List
• Sy Named Patriot League Player of the Week After Clinching Comeback Win
• Army Men’s Tennis Improves to 5–0 with 4–0 Win Over LIU at West Point
• Army Men’s Tennis Stays Perfect, Sweeps Stonehill 4–0

By the numbers

• Camryn Tade: 10 points (5–10 FG), 4 assists, 3 steals
• Kya Smith: 9 points
• Brooke Wilson: 9 points
• Reganne Reardon: career-high 12 rebounds
• Army: 19–48 FG (39.6%), 5–20 3PT (25.0%), 16–21 FT (76.2%)
• Colgate: 13–43 FG (30.2%), 2–14 3PT (14.3%), 7–11 FT (63.6%)
• Turnovers forced: 23 (Army had 13 steals)
• Points in the paint: Army 28, Colgate 16
• Attendance: 2,230 (largest home crowd of the season)

Kuester: “Defense is what we lay our heads on at night.”

Head coach Katie Kuester didn’t hide what she believes travels — and what she believes can carry this team anywhere.

“Really proud of our defensive effort. I think we are capable of scoring more offensively, but I think defense is what we lay our heads on at night. We know that defensively, we’re going to be able to compete with anyone in the nation. I was very pleased with our evenly distributed scoring. I think that really says who we are and what we’re about.”

Kuester also pointed to late offensive lapses — and took part of the blame for the decision-making.

“I felt like our turnovers were a little bit too high, higher than I would have liked. And that’s a little bit on me. I wanted to push more in transition… sometimes we just got a little bit too excited in transition, and that led to turning the ball over, which stunts your offense a little bit, but I still think our defense held strong.”

And when asked about the Wilson sisters — whose impact often shows up between the lines — Kuester called them what every winning team needs.

“They’re the glue in a lot of ways… having Taylor work back from injury was tough for us defensively and rebounding-wise — she brings so much to the table… and then I thought Brooke defensively was tenacious. I wish there was a tip and deflect marker here because I think she would have 10 plus, honestly.”

Taylor Wilson: “Everything… was because of the person before me.”

Taylor Wilson’s stat line — 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals — was solid. Her explanation was better.

“You look at the stat sheet, everyone had numbers next to their name… it was a group effort. Everything that I had — every basket I had, every assist I had — was because of the person before me.”

Black Rifle Coffee

Black Rifle Coffee is for people who don’t hit snooze on standards. Fuel your day with bold coffee and a mission-first mindset. Black Rifle Coffee — Fuel the mission.

BUY NOW

Wilson also said there was extra meaning on the floor: it was her father’s birthday.

“My dad… had us dribbling balls outside since we were like three years old. So when I think of basketball, I think of my dad, and I think of Brooke. So very special to be able to have him see us play on his birthday.”

And in a league where standings can flip fast, she kept it simple.

“Every game in the Patriot League is a big game, and we’re just another game closer to the playoffs.”

Brooke Wilson: “It’s anyone’s day, any night.”

Brooke Wilson’s night (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) fit the theme: contributions coming from everywhere.

“At this point in the season, it’s just about stringing wins together… we just need to play together today and have some fun for the kids.”

She also described the team’s role clarity — and why Army doesn’t need one player to carry the load.

“We all have a specific role, and it’s anyone’s day, any night. I’m the point guard, so I facilitate more… and just do whatever they need me to do, be that spark for them in any way possible.”

Then she made it personal.

“He’s at every game… every single day, every single game, I’m just working to impress him… Happy birthday, Dad. I love you.”

What it means

This wasn’t a pretty offensive finish. It didn’t have to be.

Army’s best version is built on pressure, discipline, and the kind of defensive consistency that makes opponents feel like the rim is shrinking. Against Colgate, that identity was non-negotiable — and it showed for all 40 minutes.

Up next

Army heads back on the road to face Lafayette in Easton, Pa., with tip set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

Bad Dawg Sports is built on independent coverage and real access — no recycled quotes, no empty outrage.

Subscribe to the Bad Dawg Sports newsletter for just $2/year (limited time) and get the full week’s biggest stories, plus the behind-the-scenes layer you won’t find in the headlines.