Navy Dominates Army West Point 84-56 Behind Balanced Attack

The U.S. Naval Academy cruised to a decisive 84-56 win over Army West Point at Alumni Hall, with Austin Benigni leading the charge. The junior guard's impressive performance, which included 19 points and 6 assists, set the tone for a dominant outing by the Midshipmen. Navy's victory was predicted by CHD Scout, which forecasted a 11.9-point win for the home team. While the actual margin of 28 points far exceeded expectations, the outcome was never in doubt as Navy asserted its control from the opening tip.

The Midshipmen stormed out to a 46-34 halftime lead, with Benigni and Mike Woods combining for 24 points in the first half. Woods finished with 17 points, while Aidan Kehoe chipped in with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Navy's balanced attack and stifling defense limited Army's scoring opportunities, holding the Black Knights to just 22 points in the second half.

Ryan Curry was the lone bright spot for Army, scoring a team-high 15 points. Jaxson Bell added 14 points and 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Midshipmen's relentless pressure. Navy's defense forced Army into difficult shots and limited their ability to get into a rhythm, ultimately leading to the convincing victory.

The win improves Navy's record to 15-6, while Army falls to 8-13. While the outcome was expected, the margin of victory was a surprise. Navy's performance will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they continue their season, and the convincing win will also have a positive impact on their tournament resume. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Navy, but the dominant performance will help to mitigate the potential negative effects of a Q4 game.

In terms of tournament implications, Navy's win keeps them on track, but the Midshipmen still have work to do to secure a postseason berth. The loss, on the other hand, deals a significant blow to Army's already slim tournament hopes. As a Quadrant 3 game for the Black Knights, the defeat will be particularly damaging to their resume. With the margin of victory far exceeding expectations, Navy's win will be viewed as a strong statement, and the Midshipmen want to build on this momentum as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. The convincing victory will also help to bolster Navy's tournament chances, making them a more attractive candidate for postseason consideration.