ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — In a Patriot League men’s basketball opener defined by precision at the foul line and a standout individual performance, Navy held off a persistent Boston University team for an 82-77 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Hall.

The Midshipmen improved to 9-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Terriers fell to 5-9 and 0-1.

The game’s decisive stretch came in the final 31 seconds, a tense sequence of intentional fouls and clutch free throws that ultimately sealed the win for the home team. With Navy leading 79-77, Boston University’s Chance Gladden was called for a foul on Navy’s Jordan Pennick, sending him to the line for two shots with 31 seconds remaining. Pennick, who finished with 18 points, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead to four.

On the ensuing possession, the Terriers worked the ball to Gladden, whose driving layup attempt was contested. He was fouled by Navy’s Cam Cole with 24 seconds left. Gladden made the first free throw but missed the second, leaving the score 81-78 in Navy’s favor. After a scramble for the rebound, Navy’s Mike Woods was fouled and sent to the line with 11 seconds on the clock. Woods made the first free throw to extend the lead to four. He missed the second attempt, but the Terriers’ final chance, a desperation three-pointer by Michael McNair as time expired, was off the mark.

The frantic finish capped a game where Navy’s efficiency, particularly from the charity stripe, proved to be the difference. The Midshipmen attempted 30 free throws, making 22, compared to Boston University’s 12-of-12 performance. Navy also won the possession battle, committing just seven turnovers to Boston University’s eight, and dominated the offensive glass with a 10-4 advantage, leading to several critical second-chance opportunities.

Navy guard Austin Benigni was the catalyst throughout, delivering a complete performance with 27 points, eight assists and four rebounds in 40 minutes. His playmaking was instrumental, especially during a key first-half run where he assisted on three consecutive three-pointers to help the Midshipmen build a lead they would never fully relinquish. Benigni also contributed defensively with a block in the closing seconds of the first half.

He was supported by a dominant double-double from center Aidan Kehoe, who posted 15 points and 15 rebounds to go along with two assists and two blocks. Kehoe’s presence inside was a constant challenge for the Terriers.

Boston University was led by the scoring of Chance Gladden, who poured in 26 points. Michael McNair added 13 points and six rebounds, while 7-foot center Ben Defty provided 12 points off the bench. The Terriers shot a respectable 49.2% from the field but were hampered by a lack of trips to the free-throw line and an inability to contain Navy’s offensive rebounding.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Navy taking a 35-30 lead into the break. The Midshipmen stretched their advantage to as many as nine points in the second half, but the Terriers repeatedly clawed back, largely behind Gladden’s scoring. Each time Boston University closed the gap, Navy answered, often from the free-throw line, to maintain control.

Navy finished the game shooting 47.2% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Boston University shot 49.2% overall and 37.5% from beyond the arc. The Midshipmen’s offensive rating of 127.6 on 64 possessions underscored their effective use of each opportunity, while the Terriers posted a 112.1 rating on 69 possessions.

The announced attendance at Alumni Hall was 1,213.

Navy next travels to face Holy Cross on Saturday, while Boston University returns home to host American on the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Boston on Jan. 28.