FOUNTAIN HILL, Pa. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by timely runs and critical free throw shooting, the Army women’s basketball team avenged a loss from earlier in the season by defeating Lehigh 64-55 in a Patriot League contest Wednesday night at Stabler Arena.

The Black Knights, who fell to the Mountain Hawks by 11 points just 28 days prior, used a dominant first half to build a cushion and then weathered a strong Lehigh push in the third quarter to secure the road victory. The win improved Army’s record to 16-4 overall, while Lehigh fell to 10-9.

The most important part of the game was Army’s immediate and sustained defensive pressure in the first half, which built an insurmountable lead. From the opening tip, the Black Knights disrupted Lehigh’s offensive flow, forcing nine first-quarter turnovers and limiting the Mountain Hawks to just 20 points by halftime. Army’s active hands produced 11 steals for the game, directly contributing to a 19-9 advantage in points off turnovers. This early defensive stand, which saw Lehigh manage only 11 points in the first quarter and nine in the second, established a 34-20 lead at the break that proved decisive. Despite Lehigh’s best efforts to rally after halftime, they spent the entire second half fighting uphill, never getting closer than six points, as the damage from the opening twenty minutes was too severe to overcome.

Army never trailed, setting the tone early. After Lehigh’s Lily Fandre opened the scoring, the Black Knights responded with a 7-0 run, capped by a Brooke Wilson layup. Army’s defense was relentless, forcing multiple shot-clock violations and live-ball turnovers that led to transition opportunities. A Camryn Tade three-pointer late in the first quarter extended the lead to 15-11, and Army continued to pull away in the second period.

The Black Knights’ lead ballooned to 16 points after a Reese Ericson three-pointer made it 32-16 with under three minutes left in the half. Lehigh’s offense, which shot just 30% from the field in the half, could not find any consistent rhythm against Army’s swarming defense.

The Mountain Hawks emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, mounting a 12-2 run to start the third quarter. Fueled by Fandre and Gracyn Lovette, Lehigh cut the deficit to 36-32, sending a jolt through the home crowd of 531. The surge forced an Army timeout and briefly shifted the momentum.

However, the Black Knights demonstrated the poise that has characterized their season. They steadied themselves and answered with a 7-0 run of their own, keyed by a Tade layup and a three-pointer from Ericson, to push the lead back to 11. Army entered the final quarter leading 45-38.

Lehigh made several attempts to close the gap in the fourth, but each time Army had a response, often at the free throw line. The Black Knights were clinical in closing the game, making 13 of 16 free throws in the final period to seal the victory. For the game, Army shot 81% from the line, while Lehigh connected on 67%.

Tade, a sophomore guard from Southlake, Texas, led all scorers with 21 points, adding three steals in 36 minutes. She was instrumental in both building the early lead and helping stem Lehigh’s second-half runs. Kya Smith, a 6-foot-1 forward from Lubbock, Texas, provided a strong interior presence with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Wilson, a guard from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, contributed 11 points, four steals, and three assists.

Lehigh was led by Fandre, a sophomore from Eagan, Minnesota, who scored 21 points and dished out four assists. Lovette, who played all 40 minutes, added 10 points. Whitney Lind chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds for the Mountain Hawks.

Statistically, the game was closer than the score indicated. Both teams made 21 field goals, but Army attempted 21 free throws to Lehigh’s 15, making seven more. The Black Knights also won the assist battle 11-5 and the turnover battle, committing 16 to Lehigh’s 19.

The victory keeps Army near the top of the Patriot League standings as they head into a road game at Holy Cross on Saturday. Lehigh will look to rebound on the road at Colgate, also on Saturday.