Box Score WEST POINT, N.Y. – Sophomore forward
Tasha Chudy dropped in 12 points in the Leopards' season-ending loss (55-40) to No. 2 Army on Monday evening in the quarterfinal round of the Patriot League Tournament.
Second Team All-Patriot League selection Reese Ericson led the Black Knights in scoring with 13 points.
Lafayette hopped out to a 3-0 lead after Chudy knocked down a jumper and went 1-for-2 from the line (8:24). Kya Smith finally got Army on the board (5:47) with a layup, but the Leopards scored another five unanswered points before Ericson stopped the run. Lafayette's defense held Army scoreless for over four minutes before Smith's bucket, despite its 16 shot attempts. Junior guard
Sauda Ntaconayigize hit a big triple with 26 seconds left in the period to give Lafayette a 12-6 lead after 10 minutes.
The hosts found their rhythm to start the second stanza, going on a 7-3 spurt to cut their deficit to just two points (15-13). A bucket by sophomore
Teresa Kiewiet (7:08) kept the Black Knights at bay, but back-to-back buckets by Army knotted the contest at 17 points apiece. Kiewiet restored Lafayette's lead (19-17) with 3:26 to go before the Black Knights drained consecutive scores to claim a 21-19 advantage at the half.
The Maroon and White were first to score in the second half, but Army responded with an 8-2 run thanks to baskets by Trinity Hardy (2), Fiona Hastick (2) and Smith (4). Moments later (4:55), Kiewiet sunk four free throws in her two trips to the line to bring the Leopards within two points (29-27). The hosts battled back to take a comfortable 10-point lead (1:10) after a string of scores and stops. After three quarters of play, Lafayette trailed 41-29.
Army's 14-point fourth quarter guided them to a 55-40 victory, as it will now host No. 6 Bucknell in the semifinal round.
Monday's matchup was highlighted by offensive possessions and rebounding. Army shot the rock 25 more times than the Leopards (68-43), stemming from the hosts' offensive rebounding. The Black Knights secured 23 offensive boards to Lafayette's four and their 49 total rebounds bested the Leopards' 30.
Lafayette concluded the regular season with a 10-21 (6-12) overall record.
To keep up with the Lafayette women's basketball team, follow its social media pages.
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