U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Dominate Lehigh 72-49 Behind Austin Benigni's 25 Points

The U.S. Naval Academy, also known as Navy, came into this matchup against Lehigh with a 5-game winning streak, averaging 78.8 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 12.0 points during that stretch. Lehigh, on the other hand, had a 3-2 record in their last 5 games, averaging 79.2 points per game but only outscoring their opponents by 0.8 points. The difference in these trends was evident from the start, as Navy took control of the game early, leading 32-20 after the first period. Lehigh's Nasir Whitlock tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 10 of his 20 points in the first half, but Navy's Austin Benigni was unstoppable, scoring 15 points and dishing out 5 assists in the first 20 minutes. Navy's 12-point lead at halftime was a reflection of their dominant performance, and they would only build on that lead in the second half. Navy's Aidan Kehoe and Donovan Draper also made significant contributions, with Kehoe grabbing 10 of his 15 rebounds and Draper securing 7 of his 11 rebounds in the first half.

As the second half got underway, Navy continued to pull away from Lehigh, outscoring them 40-29 in the final 20 minutes. Benigni added 10 more points to his total, finishing with 25 points and 7 assists, while Kehoe and Draper combined for 12 points and 14 rebounds in the second half. Lehigh's offense, which had been averaging 79.2 points per game over their last 5, was held to just 49 points, 30 points below their average. The 23-point margin of victory was a clear indication of Navy's superiority in this matchup, and it marked their 6th consecutive win. With this victory, Navy improved to 22-6 on the season, while Lehigh fell to 12-16. The 148-spot difference in NET rank between the two teams, with Navy at 150 and Lehigh at 298, was evident in their performance on the court.

Benigni's performance was not just about the numbers; he hit several big shots, including a 3-pointer with 10 minutes left in the game that put Navy up by 20 points. Kehoe, on the other hand, did the dirty work, grabbing 15 rebounds and providing a presence in the paint that Lehigh couldn't match. For Lehigh, Whitlock was the only player who showed any sign of life, scoring 20 points, but even he was unable to keep up with Navy's pace. Lehigh's Edouard Benoit and Hank Alvey, who had been averaging 10.5 and 9.5 points per game, respectively, over their last 5 games, were held to just 9 and 8 points, respectively. The difference in performance between the two teams was stark, with Navy's players rising to the occasion and Lehigh's players struggling to keep up.

The CHD Scout prediction of a 12.6-point Navy victory was correct, but the actual margin of 23 points was a surprise.

The prediction was correct because Navy's defense, which had been allowing just 66.8 points per game over their last 5, was able to shut down Lehigh's offense, holding them to 49 points. Navy's ability to limit Lehigh's scoring opportunities and capitalize on their own was the key to their victory. The 12.6-point prediction may have seemed conservative given the trends of the two teams, but it was clear that Navy was the superior team. The actual margin of 23 points was a reflection of Navy's dominant performance, and it marked a significant victory for the Midshipmen.

Navy's win over Lehigh was their 6th consecutive victory, and it solidified their position as a strong team in their conference. With a 22-6 record and a 150 NET rank, Navy is looking like a team that could make some noise in the postseason. Lehigh, on the other hand, is struggling to stay afloat, with a 12-16 record and a 298 NET rank. The 148-spot difference in NET rank between the two teams is a clear indication of the gap between them.

This win for Navy doesn't change their tournament picture much, but it does solidify their position as a strong team in their conference. For Lehigh, the loss is a significant blow to their already slim tournament hopes. With a 298 NET rank, Lehigh would need to win out and get some help from other teams to even be considered for a tournament bid. The loss to Navy, a Quadrant 4 team for Lehigh, doesn't help their resume, and it makes it even more difficult for them to make a case for a tournament bid. Navy's win, on the other hand, is a Quadrant 3 win for them, and it helps to bolster their resume. The Midshipmen are looking like a team that could make a deep run in the postseason, and this win is a significant step in that direction.

The 23-point margin of victory for Navy was a clear indication of their superiority in this matchup. With their 6th consecutive win, Navy is looking like a team that could make some noise in the postseason. Lehigh, on the other hand, is struggling to stay afloat, and their tournament hopes are all but dashed. The difference in performance between the two teams was stark, with Navy's players rising to the occasion and Lehigh's players struggling to keep up. The 148-spot difference in NET rank between the two teams is a clear indication of the gap between them, and it's clear that Navy is the superior team. As the season comes to a close, Navy is looking like a team that could make a deep run in the postseason, while Lehigh is looking like a team that will be watching from home.