WORCESTER, Mass. (Interstat) — A dominant first-half defensive performance and a commanding inside presence from Aidan Kehoe propelled the Navy men’s basketball team to a 65-58 victory over Holy Cross in a Patriot League matchup Saturday at the Hart Recreation Center.

The Midshipmen (10-5, 1-0 Patriot League) seized control from the opening tip, holding the Crusaders (6-9, 0-1) to just 21 points on 7-of-27 shooting in the first half. Navy built a 28-21 halftime lead that proved insurmountable despite a more competitive second half.

The most important stretch of the game came early, as Navy’s defense suffocated Holy Cross. The Crusaders committed 12 first-half turnovers, which Navy converted into 10 points. Holy Cross struggled to find any offensive rhythm, going nearly five minutes without a field goal during one stretch and missing 10 consecutive shots during another. This defensive stand allowed Navy to build a lead that grew as large as 14 points in the opening period, a cushion they would rely on later.

Navy’s offense was efficiently built around the paint, outscoring Holy Cross 42-14 inside. The focal point was Kehoe, a 6-foot-10 junior from Montvale, New Jersey. He scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots, consistently finishing through contact and protecting the rim. He shot 8 of 12 from the field, with all his makes coming at the rim.

Guard Austin Benigni provided the backcourt punch for Navy, leading all scorers with 23 points. The 5-10 sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas, added five assists and four rebounds, navigating Holy Cross’s defensive pressure and hitting crucial free throws down the stretch, finishing 9 of 10 from the line.

Holy Cross, which shot just 36.4% for the game, was led by Tyler Boston’s 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Joe Nugent added 13 points. The Crusaders showed more life after halftime, matching Navy’s 37-point output in the second period and trimming the deficit to as few as five points in the final minutes.

A key sequence with just over a minute to play typified the Crusaders’ struggle to complete the comeback. After a Boston three-pointer cut Navy’s lead to 56-52, Holy Cross immediately fouled Benigni, who sank two free throws. On the ensuing possession, Boston missed a three-pointer, and Benigni was fouled again after the rebound, making two more from the line to push the lead back to eight and effectively seal the game.

Navy’s statistical edge was clear. They shot 48% from the field compared to Holy Cross’s 36%, and won the possession battle by committing only nine turnovers while forcing 12. While both teams made just two three-pointers in the first half, Navy’s ability to generate high-percentage shots inside proved the difference. The Midshipmen also outscored Holy Cross 15-11 from the free-throw line.

For Navy, Donovan Draper contributed seven rebounds and two assists, while Mike Woods added eight points. For Holy Cross, Aiden Disu scored 10 points and Declan Ryan had nine points and four rebounds.

The game, played before a crowd of 1,391, marked the Patriot League opener for both schools. Navy, which entered as a 4.5-point favorite, covered the spread and improved its record away from Annapolis. Holy Cross, seeking to build on a conference win over Bucknell on New Year’s Eve, instead saw a two-game winning streak snapped.

Navy next hosts Bucknell on Wednesday. Holy Cross travels to face Lehigh, also on Wednesday.