Ericson’s Massive Game Pushes Black Knights Past American

Wednesday, January 11

Washington, D.C.

7:00 PM

Army West Point

4-11,2-3Patriot

American University

3-13,2-3Patriot

Army West Point

American

Ericson’s Massive Game Pushes Black Knights Past American

January 11, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Army West Point women's basketball team (4-11, 2-3 PL) defeated the American Eagles (3-13, 2-3 PL) 77-56 Wednesday night. Army's Reese Ericson led Army with a career high of 20 points and 10 assists, the most assists for an Army player since 2009.

How It Happened
In a Patriot League contest between the American University Eagles and the Army West Point Black Knights, Army dominated American with a 77-56 win. Reese Ericson led Army with 20 points, Lauren Lithgow followed with 17, and senior Sabria Hunter had 14 points.

The Black Knights struck first with a layup by senior Sabria Hunter. Kamryn Hall got Army within one point after making a three-point shot making it a 6-5 game. With 6:14 on the clock, freshman Charlotte Richman tied everything up with a three of her own. Richman gave Army a two-point lead with 3:49 left in the quarter with a three-point bucket. Reese Ericson extended the Black Knights lead with a three-pointer with 2:22 minutes of action left. Again, Ericson extended Army's lead after making another triple putting Army up by eight. The Black Knights ended the quarter with an eight-point lead after Linden Madison made a jump shot.

In the second quarter, the Eagles acted first with Anna LeMaster making two out of three free throw attempts. However, the Black Knights responded with Hunter making a layup extending Army's lead by eight. Junior Sam McNaughton made a 3-pointer further adding onto the Black Knights lead. American's Laura Nogues cut the lead to ten points with a jumper. With 1:21 on the clock Army's Trinity Hardy extended the Black Knights lead to 18 points. LeMaster cut into the Eagles deficit with two made free throws. However, with 30 seconds remaining in the second half, Lauren Lithgow made a triple, putting Army up by 19. Going into halftime, the Black Knights led the Eagles 46-27.

In the second half, Hunter extended Army's lead to 21 points with a layup. American's Ivy Bales and Sadie Stetson cut into Army's lead making it a 17-point game. The Black Knights went on a 6-0 run before American's Anna Rescifina had a fastbreak layup. The Eagles went on an 8-0 run when Lithgow broke it up with a three-point shot putting Army back up by 18. After a layup by McMaster, Lithgow again put Army ahead by 19 with the help of a three-pointer. With less than a second left in the third quarter, Ericson made a three-point play after being fouled by Molly Lavin. Heading into the fourth quarter Army led American 63-42

Going into the fourth quarter, Lithgow made another 3-point bucket, putting the Black Knights up by 24-points. LeMaster continued to cut into American's deficit with a layup. With 6:45 on the clock, Ericson converted a three-pointer, putting Army up by 22 points. American's Ivy Bales responded with a jumper, again attempting to cut into the Black Knights lead. After being fouled by Molly Lavin, Sabria Hunter made a three-point play with 3:40 left in the game. With 2:14 left on the clock, Ericson made a layup in the paint, continuing to keep Army ahead of the Eagles. The Black Knights defeated the Eagles 77-56 after American's Laura Nogues made a layup with 26 seconds left in the game.

Inside the Box

Reese Ericson had a career high of 20 points and 10 assists, the most by an Army player since 2009.
Junior Lauren Lithgow had 17 points and three rebounds.
Sabria Hunter had her ninth double-double of the season (14 pts. And 10 rebounds).
The Black Knights had 22 points off turnovers and had 51 points off the bench.
Army defeated the Eagles at Bender Arena for the first time since 2017.

Coach's Corner
"Our ladies played with purpose, they were intentional in their execution, and I absolutely think Dawn played a part in it. Shooting the three ball confidently, the inside-outside attack that we had, it was our defense and our rebound that led the way. An outstanding job on the offensive rebounds and keeping them under 60, that was our goal tonight. It was a full team effort tonight, couldn't be prouder of this group. It's hard to win on the road, it's hard to win the Patriot League and it's a good feeling to be on the other side of where we've been." – Head Coach Missy Traversi

Up Next
The Black Knights return to Christl Arena to face Boston University on Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m.

For complete coverage of Army West Point women's basketball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter @ArmyWP_WBB, on Instagram @armywestpointwbb, and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.