HAMILTON, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a staggering second-half comeback and a dramatic overtime finish, the Navy men’s basketball team escaped Cotterell Court with an 84-80 victory over Colgate in a pivotal Patriot League clash on Saturday.

The Midshipmen, who led by as many as 18 points in the first half and held a 40-28 advantage at the break, watched that lead evaporate under a relentless second-half assault from Colgate’s Jalen Cox. The Raiders, fueled by a 49-point second-half outburst, stormed all the way back to force overtime, setting the stage for a tense extra period.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final seconds of regulation. Trailing 77-75, Navy’s Austin Benigni drove for a potential game-tying layup, but his attempt was emphatically blocked by Colgate’s Cox with two seconds remaining. The Raiders secured the rebound, and Cox was fouled. He calmly sank both free throws to give Colgate a seemingly secure 79-75 lead.

Navy, with no timeouts remaining, advanced the ball. Benigni, redeeming himself immediately, launched a deep 3-pointer as time expired. The shot banked in, sending the Navy bench into a frenzy and knotting the score at 79-79, forcing overtime.

The emotional pendulum had swung decisively. Navy carried that momentum into the extra period, holding Colgate to just a single field goal. The Midshipmen’s defense clamped down, and key free throws from Benigni and Jordan Pennick sealed the hard-fought road win.

Navy was led by a balanced and gritty effort. Donovan Draper, the team’s top star, posted 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench, providing crucial energy and scoring. Jordan Pennick led all Navy scorers with 22 points, including several critical 3-pointers. Aidan Kehoe recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Austin Benigni finished with 13 points and five assists, his game-tying shot overshadowing his seven turnovers.

Colgate’s remarkable comeback was spearheaded almost single-handedly by Jalen Cox. The guard from Los Angeles delivered a monumental performance, scoring 30 points, dishing out seven assists, and adding five rebounds. His block in the final seconds of regulation appeared to be the game-winner before Benigni’s heroics. Andrew Alekseyenko added a double-double for the Raiders with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Statistically, Navy’s early dominance and clutch overtime play made the difference. The Midshipmen scored 17 points off Colgate turnovers, had 15 fastbreak points, and outscored the Raiders 30-24 in the paint. Despite Colgate’s superior shooting in the second half, Navy made the necessary plays when it mattered most.

With the victory, Navy improved to 21-6 overall and strengthened its position atop the Patriot League. Colgate fell to 16-11. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Annapolis on February 28 in the regular-season finale, a matchup that could carry significant conference tournament seeding implications.

Navy next hosts Lehigh on Wednesday, while Colgate travels to face Boston University on Monday.