Navy Holds Off Delaware State Rally for Road Victory

LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — Building a massive early lead and then weathering a furious second-half comeback attempt, the Navy men’s basketball team secured a 66-59 victory over Delaware State on Wednesday night at Memorial Hall.

The Midshipmen, who led by as many as 19 points in the first half, saw their advantage shrink to just four in the final minutes before making enough free throws down the stretch to snap a two-game skid and even their record at 5-5. The Hornets fell to 2-7 with the loss, unable to overcome a frigid first-half shooting performance despite forcing 18 Navy turnovers.

Navy’s offensive execution early was crisp, while Delaware State struggled to find any rhythm. The Midshipmen opened the game on a 19-0 run, holding the Hornets scoreless for the first 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Delaware State missed its first 11 field goal attempts and committed four turnovers before Ademar Santos connected on a jumper.

The onslaught continued as Navy’s inside duo of Aidan Kehoe and Mike Woods established control. The Midshipmen led 36-21 at halftime, capitalizing on a Delaware State offense that shot just 21.4 percent from the floor and 1-of-9 from three-point range in the opening period.

The script flipped dramatically after intermission. Sparked by the playmaking of guard Corey Perkins, the Hornets unleashed a 22-7 run over the first 7 minutes of the second half to tie the game at 43-43. Perkins, who finished with a double-double, was at the center of the surge, finding teammates for open looks and applying relentless pressure on defense.

Delaware State’s energy intensified, turning Navy’s 18 turnovers into 20 points and outscoring the Midshipmen 22-13 in fastbreak points for the game. A Miles Webb tip-in with 13 minutes to play gave the Hornets their first lead at 40-38, sending a sparse crowd of 300 into a frenzy.

The game evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair with six lead changes over the next several minutes. Navy finally stemmed the tide by returning to its early formula: feeding the 6-foot-10 Kehoe in the post and attacking the basket. A pivotal 7-0 run, capped by a Mike Woods three-pointer and a tough Aidan Kehoe layup, gave Navy a 52-45 cushion with just over 6 minutes remaining.

Delaware State refused to go away. Perkins answered with a driving layup and then found Jalen StClair for a corner three-pointer to claw back to within 56-54 with 1:53 left. Navy’s experience showed in the final two minutes, however, as the Midshipmen closed the game by making 8 of 12 free throw attempts to seal the win.

Perkins was the standout for Delaware State, logging 37 minutes and tallying 12 points and 10 assists. His backcourt mate, Jalen StClair, added 9 points. John Clemmons provided a first-half spark off the bench with 9 points, all in the opening period, while Miles Webb contributed 9 points and a key block.

For Navy, balance was key. Mike Woods, a 6-foot-3 guard from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Aidan Kehoe, a 6-foot-10 forward from Montvale, New Jersey, each scored 16 points. Kehoe added 8 rebounds. Point guard Austin Benigni of The Woodlands, Texas, played a game-high 39 minutes, finishing with 12 points and 4 assists. Donovan Draper provided energy off the bench with 7 points and 7 rebounds.

Statistically, Navy’s efficiency, despite the turnovers, proved decisive. The Midshipmen shot 43.5 percent from the field compared to Delaware State’s 33.3 percent. Navy also dominated inside, outscoring the Hornets 26-18 in the paint and attempting 13 more free throws, making 22. Delaware State’s 12 steals and 12 assists were bright spots, but their 5-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc and 12-of-19 performance from the foul line ultimately left them short.

The game’s total of 125 points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 141.5. Navy entered as an 11.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, a spread they narrowly covered with the final margin.

The win gives Navy momentum as they return home to open Patriot League play against Air Force on Sunday. Delaware State looks to rebound quickly when they host in-state rival Delaware on Saturday.