ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — The Navy men’s basketball team looks to solidify its position atop the Patriot League standings when it hosts Holy Cross on Wednesday night at Alumni Hall.

The Midshipmen (13-6, 4-2 Patriot) enter the matchup riding momentum from a dramatic 82-79 double-overtime road win at Lehigh on Saturday. Guard Austin Benigni was spectacular in that victory, logging 50 minutes and scoring a career-high 34 points. Benigni has been the engine for Navy, averaging 22.3 points over his last six games, including a 23-point, 5-assist performance in a 65-58 win over Holy Cross on Jan. 3.

Navy’s defense, which allows a league-low 62.2 points per game in conference play, will again be central to its game plan.

Holy Cross (8-11, 2-4) seeks to split the season series and halt a two-game skid. The Crusaders are coming off a 74-55 loss at Lafayette where defensive struggles persisted. Guard Joe Nugent has provided a consistent offensive bright spot, scoring in double figures in five of his last six contests, including 16 points in the recent loss to Lafayette and 17 in a win over Army on Jan. 14.

The Crusaders’ offense, however, has been prone to droughts, a vulnerability Navy exploited in the first meeting by holding them to 58 points.

A key storyline will be Holy Cross’s ability to handle Navy’s defensive pressure and find scoring beyond Nugent. For the Midshipmen, maintaining their composure and leveraging Benigni’s playmaking will be critical as they aim to protect their home court and improve to 5-2 in league play.

Wednesday’s contest is the backend of a regular-season series that Navy currently leads. Following this game, Navy will prepare for a pivotal showdown with service academy rival Army on Saturday, while Holy Cross will host American.