CLINTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a season-opening upset that defied pregame projections, the Navy men’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance on the road, cruising to a 76-55 victory over Presbyterian on Monday night at the Templeton Center.

The Midshipmen, who entered the contest as a narrow two-point favorite according to oddsmakers but were given only a 43 percent chance to win by one advanced metric system, controlled the game from the outset. They built a 20-point halftime lead and never looked back, spoiling the Blue Hose’s home opener in front of an announced crowd of 471 fans.

Navy’s offense operated with ruthless efficiency, scoring 76 points on 65 possessions for an offensive rating of 116.2. In stark contrast, Presbyterian’s attack sputtered, managing just 55 points on 64 possessions for a rating of 85.3. The disparity was most evident in the first half, where the Midshipmen’s defense smothered the Blue Hose, holding them to a paltry 17 points while scoring 37 of their own.

The foundation of Navy’s victory was built on superior shooting and ball security. The Midshipmen connected on 49 percent of their shots from the floor, making 27 of 55 attempts. They were also effective from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 15 three-point attempts. While their free throw shooting was a relative weakness at 16 for 24, it proved more than sufficient given the game’s flow.

Presbyterian struggled immensely with its shooting touch, particularly from long distance. The Blue Hose shot just 39 percent from the field and a frigid 14 percent from three-point range, making only 3 of 21 attempts. They also committed 15 turnovers, which Navy converted into numerous transition opportunities, highlighted by the Midshipmen’s 9 steals.

Aidan Kehoe led all scorers for Navy, pouring in 19 points in 33 minutes of action. He was one of four Midshipmen to reach double figures, showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Jordan Pennick provided a significant spark off the bench with 13 points, while point guard Austin Benigni orchestrated the offense with a team-high 5 assists to go with his 11 points.

Donovan Draper and Jinwoo Kim also made key contributions in the backcourt. Draper tallied 8 points and 3 assists, while Kim filled the stat sheet with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Midshipmen shared the ball effectively, finishing with 9 assists as a team compared to just 5 for Presbyterian.

For the Blue Hose, the loss came despite a strong effort on the glass. Jonah Pierce hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds, and Jaylen Peterson added 10 more, helping Presbyterian to a slight 10-9 edge in offensive rebounds. However, Peterson was limited to just 4 points on the offensive end. Triston Wilson was the lone bright spot for the Presbyterian offense, leading the team with 13 points.

Presbyterian’s interior defense showed some resistance, recording 7 blocked shots, but it was not enough to counteract their anemic offensive output, especially during a first half that effectively decided the contest.

With the win, Navy begins its season with a record of 1-0 and will look to build momentum with a challenging schedule ahead. The Midshipmen are scheduled to host Yale on Friday before a road test at Penn State next Tuesday. Their non-conference slate also includes a high-profile matchup at North Carolina on Nov. 18 and their Patriot League opener against Air Force on Dec. 7.

Presbyterian falls to 0-1 and will seek its first win quickly, as it returns to the Templeton Center to face Bluefield University on Wednesday. The Blue Hose then embark on a difficult six-game road trip that features contests against power conference opponents South Carolina, California, and UCLA.

The combined final score of 131 points fell well short of the pregame over/under line of 140.5, a testament to the defensive struggles of Presbyterian and Navy’s ability to build a large, clock-draining lead in the second half.