Women's Basketball Falls to Army West Point, 75-66

Saturday, January 27

Lewisburg, Pa.

3:30 p.m.

Bucknell University

5-14,2-6Patriot

Army

8-10,5-3Patriot

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Army West Point	21	20	11	23	75
Bucknell	19	18	11	18	66

Women's Basketball Falls to Army West Point, 75-66

1/27/2024 5:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Ashley Sofilkanich scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked a career-high eight shots but Army West Point defeated the Bucknell women's basketball team 75-66 Saturday afternoon at Sojka Pavilion.

Bucknell (5-14, 2-6 PL) trailed 41-37 at halftime, and while the team kept pace with Army (8-10, 5-3 PL), the Bison could not surpass the steady and sure Black Knights' offense. Bucknell shot 25-of-56 (44.6%), while Army was 28-of-62 (45.2%) from the field.

Isabella King continued her stretch of resurgence with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. The junior displayed extra tenacity by repeatedly driving to the basket for lay-ups. She also contributed five rebounds and four assists.

Ashley O'Connor chipped in 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including a 3-of-5 mark from three-point territory. She added four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Army's offense was keyed by two 18-point scorers, Trinity Hardy and Taylor Wilson. Hardy provided her 18 points via a volume output of 5-of-14 shooting from the field and an 8-of-9 day at the charity stripe. Wilson was electric from three-point land, going 5-of-6 from the downtown, despite entering the game 2-of-19 on the year. Kya Smith added a double-double (ten points and ten rebounds) in only 19 minutes.

The first quarter was a grease fire, setting the tone for the game. Both teams shot over 50% for the quarter. The Bison trailed 9-2, early in the period, before embarking on a 13-3 run. Eight of those points were provided by Sofilkanich. Army halted the streak with a 6-0 run, with two Wilson's threes. King replied with a rebound before Wilson hit another three-pointer for the 21-19 lead as the quarter ended.

The torrid pace continued into the second stanza. This time, the affair was a see-saw one. Bucknell pulled ahead 31-27 on a King three-pointer. Army cut the deficit to two points. Bucknell, again, made it a four-point lead on a Sofilkanich lay-up. Army responded in kind, as did Sofilkanich. Wilson dialed a three-pointer, and Addison Ainsworth contributed a layup for the 36-35 Army lead. Ainsworth added another lay-up for the 38-35. Julie Kulesza deposited two free throws to cut within 38-37. But Wilson struck again. Her fifth three-pointer gave Army a 41-37 halftime lead.

The third quarter was more subdued, with both teams only scoring 11 points. Army stretched its lead to 45-37 before Bucknell tied the contest at 45-45. O'Connor scored the first five points, and King hit the tying three-pointer. Bucknell temporarily led, 46-45, on a Sofilkanich free throw. Army retook the advantage and led 52-48, entering the final quarter. The Bison would never lead again.

Army continued to remain in front of the hard-fighting Bucknellians. The Bison did manage to get within two points, 57-55, via a Sofilkanich two-pointer, but Army slipped away again. Each time Bucknell would lurk closer, they were denied by a Black Knight answer. Bucknell's final chance came when O'Connor drained a three-pointer with 1:48 left to make it 69-64. However, the Black Knights would score a lay-up only 19 seconds later. Blake Matthews tallied a jump shot, but Army would hit four free throws to win 75-66.

Up Next

The Bison travel to Loyola (Md.) Wednesday for a midweek match-up.