AP Preview: Army Women Look to Extend Win Streak Against Struggling American

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — A surging Army women’s basketball team will look to continue its dominant start to Patriot League play when it visits struggling American on Saturday at Bender Arena.

The Black Knights (13-3, 4-0 Patriot) enter on a five-game winning streak, including a 61-46 victory over Holy Cross on Wednesday. Army’s defense has been stifling, holding opponents to an average of 54.2 points during the streak.

Army is led by guard Kya Smith, who is averaging 15.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. She is coming off an 18-point performance against Holy Cross and recorded a remarkable 27-point, 22-rebound double-double against Howard on Dec. 29.

The Eagles (4-12, 2-2), meanwhile, have lost two straight, most recently an 86-68 defeat at Navy. American has found consistency hard to come by, alternating wins and losses in its last six contests.

American will rely on guard Charlotte Tuhy, who leads the team with 19 points in the loss to Navy. She posted a 17-point effort in an overtime win over Colgate on Jan. 7 and a 20-point, 8-rebound game against UMBC on Dec. 21.

The matchup pits Army’s conference-best defense, allowing just 56.6 points per game, against an American offense that averages a league-low 57.1 points.

Army won both meetings last season by an average of 22.5 points. The Black Knights have won seven of the last eight against the Eagles.

Saturday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. EST. Army visits Bucknell next on Jan. 21, while American travels to face Colgate on the same date.