ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — A surging Navy squad will look to continue its climb in the Patriot League standings when it hosts a struggling Loyola Maryland team on Saturday at Alumni Hall.

The Midshipmen (16-6) enter the contest having won seven of their last eight games, including a gritty 58-50 road victory at Boston University on Wednesday. They sit near the top of the conference with a 7-2 league mark. In contrast, the Greyhounds (8-14) have found consistency elusive, going 4-5 in Patriot League play. They are coming off a 77-68 home win over American, which snapped a two-game skid.

The matchup features two of the conference’s premier guards in a compelling individual duel. Navy is powered by junior Austin Benigni, who is averaging 22.4 points over his last seven games. His heroics included a 34-point performance in a double-overtime win at Lehigh on Jan. 17. He logged 40 minutes and scored 20 points in the recent win at BU.

Loyola Maryland will counter with sophomore Braeden Speed, who is in the midst of a scoring tear. He dropped a career-high 30 points in the win over American and has averaged 22.1 points over his last nine outings. His ability to create offense will be critical for a Greyhounds team that ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring defense.

Navy has dominated the recent series, winning the last five meetings. In their first matchup this season, scheduled for Feb. 25 in Baltimore, they will look for a regular-season sweep.

The Midshipmen have been formidable at home this season, boasting a 10-1 record in Annapolis. Their defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 60.2 points per game at Alumni Hall. Loyola Maryland, just 2-9 in true road games, must solve that defensive puzzle to pull an upset.

A Navy victory would solidify its position as a Patriot League title contender, while Loyola Maryland seeks a season-defining road win to jumpstart its campaign. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 31.