Black Knights Edged by Lehigh in League Tilt

BETHLEHEM, PA. – A fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Army West Point women’s basketball team was spoiled by Lehigh and the Black Knights ultimately fell, 59-55, on Saturday afternoon in a Patriot League game at Stabler Arena.

Aliyah Murray led the charge for the Black Knights (9-10, 2-5 Patriot League) with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go along with nine boards and two steals. Daizjah Morris followed with nine points and a pair of steals against Lehigh (12-7, 6-2 Patriot League), while Janae McNeal chipped in with eight points.

After Army put in the first basket of the game, Lehigh went on to score seven unanswered points with Camryn Buhr responsible for four. Despite a make from long range by Morgan Yancey to halt the scoreless drought, the Mountain Hawks added four additional points to cap an 11-3 run.

Lehigh maintained its lead and held a 15-9 edge at the end of the first. The Mountain Hawks generated five more shots than Army in the quarter due to six Black Knight turnovers, which Lehigh turned into seven points.

Army battled foul trouble early in the second quarter with two of its starters forced to the bench with two fouls apiece. Turnovers continued to plague the Black Knights as they committed 10 in the second frame. However, the game was still within single digits at the break, 26-21, as Lehigh struggled from the field, connecting on just three of its 15 shots. Lehigh’s Mann was held without a single point in the opening half on 0-of-7 shooting.

Behind a 10-4 run that started at 8:49 of the new half, Army pulled within one, 32-31. With 3:05 remaining in the quarter, Morris went to the line and knocked down a pair of foul shots to give Army its first lead since the opening seconds of the game.

The Mountain Hawks used a 10-4 run when the fourth quarter began to grab an 11-point advantage, 54-43, the largest of the game to that point. A Yancey three brought the game back within single-digits and despite a Lehigh Layup, Army put in back-to-back baskets to make it a six-point game, 56-50, with 2:19 left to play.

Army got within four, 56-52, after Murray scooped a shot up and in off the glass. In the closing seconds, the Black Knights trimmed the deficit to three after Destinee Morris connected on a shot from deep.

Lehigh warded off the Black Knights in the final minute and walked away with the league win.
The Black Knights will head back on the road when the team treks to Hamilton, N.Y., on Wednesday for a midweek showdown against Colgate at 7 p.m.

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