ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — In the storied rivalry between Army and Navy, competitive spirit is a given, but on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Hall, it was sheer offensive firepower that defined the contest. The Navy Midshipmen delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming the Army Black Knights 84-56 in a Patriot League men’s basketball game before a crowd of 4,731.

From the opening tip, Navy established a tempo and an efficiency that Army could never counter. The Midshipmen shot a blistering 58% from the field and 55% from three-point range, building a double-digit lead in the first half and expanding it relentlessly after halftime. The most important stretch of the game came early, as Navy answered Army’s initial basket with a decisive 11-0 run, a spurt that set the tone for the entire evening and from which the Black Knights never recovered.

Navy guard Austin Benigni, a junior from The Woodlands, Texas, was the catalyst, orchestrating the offense with precision. He finished with 19 points and six assists, consistently breaking down the Army defense to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. His backcourt partner, Cam Cole of Bristow, Virginia, complemented him perfectly with 10 points and seven assists, directing an attack that committed only 12 turnovers against eight steals by Army.

The Midshipmen’s offensive balance was profound. Mike Woods, coming off the bench from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, provided a massive spark with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including three three-pointers. In the frontcourt, Aidan Kehoe of Montvale, New Jersey, dominated with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding two blocks. Donovan Draper of West Palm Beach, Florida, added 11 points and five rebounds, as Navy outscored Army 30-22 in the paint and held a 15-11 advantage in points off turnovers.

Army, which fell to 8-13 overall, struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against Navy’s disciplined defense. The Black Knights shot just 37.7% from the field and 26.5% from beyond the arc. They were led by Ryan Curry’s 15 points and Jaxson Bell’s 14, but the team’s offensive rating of 84.0 on 67 possessions underscored a afternoon of frustration. Navy, by contrast, posted an exceptional offensive rating of 132.3.

The game was effectively decided by halftime, with Navy leading 46-34. The Midshipmen opened the second half with the same assertive play, quickly extending their lead past 20 points and removing any doubt about the outcome. Navy’s defense held Army to just 22 points in the final 20 minutes.

The victory improved Navy’s record to 15-6, solidifying its position near the top of the Patriot League standings. The Midshipmen entered the game as an 11.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, a line they covered with ease. The combined score of 140 points fell just under the posted over/under of 142.5.

For Army, the loss continued a challenging season marked by narrow defeats and overtime battles, though none were as lopsided as this rivalry matchup. The Black Knights will look to regroup when they host Lehigh on Wednesday. Navy, riding a wave of momentum, will hit the road for a key conference test at Boston University, also on Wednesday. The two service academies will meet again in the regular season finale at West Point on February 21.