BOSTON (Interstat) — In a grinding Patriot League contest defined more by defensive pressure than offensive artistry, the Navy men’s basketball team methodically pulled away in the second half to secure a 58-50 victory over Boston University on Wednesday night at Agganis Arena.

The Midshipmen, who entered as slight favorites, improved to 16-6 overall and solidified their position near the top of the conference standings. The Terriers, struggling through a difficult season, fell to 8-14.

The game’s pivotal stretch arrived early in the second half, transforming a narrow halftime deficit into a commanding lead Navy would never relinquish. Trailing 27-21 at the break after a disjointed first half plagued by turnovers and poor shooting from both sides, the Midshipmen emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose. They unleashed a decisive 16-2 run over a six-minute span that flipped the game on its head.

The surge was catalyzed by Navy’s trademark defensive intensity, which forced a series of costly Boston University mistakes. The run featured a balanced attack: a driving layup by Mike Woods, a critical three-pointer from Jinwoo Kim, a transition jumper by Austin Benigni, and another three from Kim, all while the Terriers’ offense sputtered, managing only a single Ben Defty dunk during the stretch. When the dust settled, Navy held a 37-29 lead with 13:48 to play, and the Terriers were forced to burn a timeout.

Boston University never fully recovered. While they would cut the deficit to six points on several occasions, they could not muster a sustained offensive response to draw closer. Navy’s defense, which entered the night among the nation’s best in efficiency, lived up to its billing, harassing the Terriers into a 38% shooting night and 14 turnovers.

The statistical ledger underscored Navy’s formula for success. They scored 15 points off turnovers compared to Boston University’s 10, and dominated in transition, posting a 10-3 advantage in fastbreak points. Despite being outrebounded on the offensive glass, the Midshipmen were more efficient with their opportunities, posting an offensive rating of 107.5 points per 100 possessions against the Terriers’ 85.8.

Austin Benigni, Navy’s standout guard from The Woodlands, Texas, led all scorers with 20 points, adding four assists and two blocks in 40 minutes of action. His backcourt mate, Jinwoo Kim of Overland Park, Kansas, provided crucial perimeter scoring with 12 points, all coming from beyond the arc, to help spark the second-half surge.

For Boston University, the offensive burden fell heavily on 7-foot center Ben Defty of Berlin, Germany. He delivered a strong individual performance with 19 points and four blocks, but found limited consistent support. Michael McNair of Temecula, California, was the only other Terrier in double figures with 13 points.

The first half was a slog, with both teams combining for more turnovers (15) than assists (9). Boston University built its lead behind Defty’s interior presence and an early trio of three-pointers, but their 27-point halftime output foreshadowed the offensive struggles to come.

The victory extends Navy’s winning streak to three games as they continue a promising season. They will look to carry this momentum into a Saturday matchup against Loyola Maryland. Boston University, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they hit the road to face Bucknell on Saturday, seeking to end a two-game skid.

The game’s final score of 108 total points fell well below the pregame over/under line of 139, a testament to the defensive struggle that unfolded. In the end, Navy’s ability to lock down in the second half and execute a game-changing run proved to be the difference in a hard-fought conference battle.