Navy Prevails Over Rival Army in the 140th Army/Navy Game

By: Ethan Hennessy

Annapolis Maryland

“There is not another game in the Patriot League that gets this kind of atmosphere and this kind of crowd. If you go to West Point, you go to Annapolis its a sacrifice. We should take our hats off to these guys it is a grind, the day to day, week to week. For them to get this atmosphere is great. I told them before the game smile. Play your butt off, but enjoy every second. This is your reward for the commitment and sacrifice they make every day.” – Army Head Coach Kevin Kuwik

Army and Navy met on the hardwood Saturday afternoon for the 140th time in series history. It was a defensive battle early in the game. At the under 12 media timeout in the first half Army held a 8-6 lead. Josh Scovens gave the Black Knights an offensive lift early scoring 12 of the team’s 15 first points.

Army had a stretch of over four minutes of not scoring. Army had seven turnovers in the first fourteen minutes of the game. This was because of Navy’s great on ball defense that forced Army into bad passes, and the swarming paint defense of the Mids that tipped passes and forced jump balls. During this Army scoring drought Navy also capitalized offensively going on a 12-2 scoring run of their own.

Despite shooting 50% from the field and forcing 10 Army turnovers Navy only took a two point lead into halftime.

Navy retook the lead in the second half. Ryan Curry hit two three pointers early in the half. At the under 12 media timeout the Black Knights were up three. The game remained close for the rest of the half. Going into the final four minutes we were knotted at 49. In the final 90 seconds Army gave up two offensive rebounds Army gave up two costly offensive rebounds that led to a Donovan Draper put back. Army coach Kevin Kuwik appeared visibly frustrated and called for a full timeout. Out of the timeout Charlie Peterson made a shot for the Black Knights. Navy called a timeout on their next offensive possession.

Charlie Peterson went to the line with four seconds left with a chance to tie the game. He missed the first one and after a rebound was secured on an intentional miss Navy was able to ice the game at their own free throw line. Navy won the game by a final score of 57-53.

Navy heads to Lewisburg PA to face Bucknell and Army will play Boston at Case Gym.

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