WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Navy women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Saturday, overwhelming American 86-58 in a Patriot League contest at Bender Arena. The victory, fueled by a dominant third quarter, completed a regular-season sweep for the Midshipmen and solidified their position near the top of the conference standings.

Navy, which also defeated American by an 86-68 score last month, improved to 16-6 overall. The Eagles fell to 6-17.

The game’s pivotal sequence came immediately after halftime. Leading 38-35 at the break, Navy erupted for a 28-point third quarter while holding American to just nine points. The Midshipmen opened the second half on a decisive 14-0 run, transforming a narrow three-point edge into an insurmountable 52-35 lead. The surge was characterized by stifling defense and efficient transition offense, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Navy guard Zanai Barnett-Gay, a sophomore from Glenn Dale, Maryland, was the catalyst throughout. She finished with a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, controlling the tempo and contributing across the board. Her backcourt partner, Julianna Almeida of North Arlington, New Jersey, added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Midshipmen’s depth was on full display as four players scored in double figures, including 13 points from Zoe Mesuch and 12 from Morgan Demos.

American was led by Grace Koepke’s 14 points and a formidable 15-rebound, three-block effort from center Charlotte Tuhy of Madison, New Jersey. However, the Eagles struggled mightily from beyond the arc, connecting on just 3 of 20 three-point attempts. They also committed 14 turnovers, which Navy converted into 18 points.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. American’s early interior play, led by Tuhy and Koepke, kept them within striking distance. The Eagles led 21-20 after a competitive first quarter and were down only three at intermission. But Navy’s defensive intensity ratcheted up in the third period, forcing difficult shots and creating easy scoring opportunities in transition. The Midshipmen shot 46.3 percent from the field for the game and outrebounded American 49-35, including a 12-5 advantage on the offensive glass that led to 18 second-chance points.

Navy’s offensive rating of 115.7 points per 100 possessions underscored its efficiency, while American managed just 79.8 points per 100 possessions. The Midshipmen also dominated points in the paint, 44-36, and recorded 10 steals.

The announced attendance was 1,045. The win extends Navy’s recent strong form, marking their fourth consecutive victory. They will look to continue that momentum when they host Bucknell on Wednesday. American, seeking to break a two-game skid, will host Lehigh the same night.