The U.S. Naval Academy cruised to a 76-50 victory over Lafayette, with Aidan Kehoe's impressive double-double leading the charge. Kehoe's 23 points and 11 rebounds set the tone for Navy's dominant performance, which saw them outscore Lafayette by 19 points in the first half. The Midshipmen's 39-20 halftime lead proved insurmountable for the Leopards, who struggled to find their footing against Navy's stifling defense.
Kehoe's standout performance was complemented by strong showings from Jordan Pennick and Austin Benigni, who chipped in 20 and 17 points, respectively. The trio's collective effort allowed Navy to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second half, with the Midshipmen's advantage never dipping below 15 points. Lafayette's Christian Humphrey-Rembert did his best to keep the Leopards afloat, posting 9 points and 6 rebounds, but it was not enough to stem the tide of Navy's onslaught.
The Midshipmen's convincing win was a reflection of their overall team cohesion and depth. With three players scoring in double figures, Navy was able to exploit Lafayette's defensive vulnerabilities and capitalize on their own scoring opportunities. The Leopards, on the other hand, struggled to find consistency on offense, with no player managing to break the 10-point barrier.
The outcome of this game had real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Navy, the win marked a Quadrant 4 victory, which, while not particularly noteworthy, still helps to bolster their overall record. The Midshipmen now sit at 15-6 on the season, with their NET ranking of 179 reflecting their solid, if unspectacular, performance to date. Lafayette, meanwhile, suffered a Quadrant 3 loss, which will do little to enhance their already slim tournament prospects. The Leopards' NET ranking of 324 underscores their struggles this season, and they must string together some impressive wins if they hope to climb back into contention.
In the end, Navy's dominant performance was a reflection of their superior talent and depth. With Kehoe and company leading the charge, the Midshipmen were able to assert their control from the outset and never look back. As the season wears on, Navy want to build on this momentum and make a push for a strong tournament seeding. For Lafayette, the task ahead is clear: they must regroup and refocus if they hope to salvage their season and make a late push for postseason glory. The loss to Navy may not be a fatal blow, but it certainly does not help their chances, and the Leopards must be near perfect from here on out to have any hope of turning their season around.