Courtesy of Army West Point Athletics
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Army West Point women's basketball team (25-7) stormed back late in the third quarter, overcoming a 21-point deficit to defeat the Bryant Bulldogs (17-15), 59-58 in the first round of 2025 Postseason WNIT.

The victory marks the first D-I postseason win for the Army women's basketball program (1990-present, Patriot League).  

Army will take on Rutgers in the second round of the tournament at Rutgers on Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. ET.

Army sophomore Fiona Hastick proved to be the difference, scoring Army's final eight points of the game, including the go-ahead three-point play with under a minute remaining to help Army secure the comeback victory. Hastick scored 22 points, 15 of which came in the second half.

Army trailed 45-24 with 5:36 left in the third quarter. Bryant jumped out to the 21-point lead after they began the period outscoring Army 17-4. Army's Soleil Montrose stopped the bleeding with a layup at the 5:11 mark in the quarter.

ESPN Analytics win probability simulator gave Bryant a 99.3% chance of winning as they led by 19 points with 3:23 left in the third. 

Bryant's Mia Mancini was a problem for the Army defense, scoring a game-high 23, shooting 5-8 (62.5%) from downtown.

From that point on, a flip switched within the Black Knights to close the quarter. Montrose knocked down her second three of the game and her make was followed by a three-pointer by Hastick for a quick six-point surge.

Army continued its quick scoring work as the third quarter ended as Montrose scored a layup, Reese Ericson buried a three-pointer, Brooke Wilson scored on a jumper and Hastick hit another three to evaporate the 21-point lead with a 16-0 scoring surge in just over three minutes of action.

Army, with all the momentum on its side, only trailed by five entering the fourth quarter, 47-42.

Bryant did not bow out quietly, pushing the lead back up to 11 early in the fourth. However, the Black Knights used another scoring run, this time a 7-0 surge to get within four, 53-49.

Trailing by five with just over three minutes to go, Hastick would score the final eight points for Army and the go-ahead basket with 48 seconds remaining which gave Army the decisive advantage.

Army tied the game as Hastick connected on another triple and on the ensuing possession scored on a driving layup to knot the score at 56-56 with 2:30 to play.

Army trailed by two, 58-56 with under a minute to play as Hastick finished a tough contested layup and drew the foul for the opportunity at a three-point play. The sophomore connected at the line and gave Army its first lead of the game, 59-58 with only 48 seconds to go. It was Army's first lead in the game since leading 5-3 in the early stages of the opening quarter.

Army's defense would hold on firmly and hanged on for the gritty come-from-behind postseason victory.

Hastick's 22 points marked a season-high for the sophomore. She finished the night 8-18 (44%) from the floor and tied her season best with four three-point makes.

Montrose scored 12 points off the bench, just her fourth time scoring in double figures this season.

Trinity Hardy scored 10 points. Ericson dished a team-high six assists.