The U.S. Naval Academy delivered a resounding 76-60 victory over Bucknell at Sojka Pavilion, with Aidan Kehoe putting on a show. The Navy star's impressive all-around performance, which included 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, was the driving force behind the team's convincing win. Bucknell's Achile Spadone tried to keep pace, scoring 14 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome Navy's balanced attack.
Aidan Kehoe's 26 Points Mark His 10th 20-Point Game of the Season
Navy set the tone early, taking a 35-24 lead into halftime. The Midshipmen's strong first-half performance was fueled by Kehoe's 12 points and 6 rebounds, as well as Jinwoo Kim's 10 points. Bucknell struggled to find its rhythm, with Spadone and Pat Curtin combining for 15 of the team's 24 points. In the second half, Navy continued to pull away, outscoring Bucknell 41-36 to secure the 16-point win.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Navy winning by 14.2 points, and the Midshipmen ultimately exceeded that margin. The predicted score of 64-78 was close, but Navy's actual 76-60 win was a more convincing outcome. The victory was a reflection of Navy's strength and depth, as they improved to 20-6 on the season.
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For Bucknell, the loss drops them to 8-18, and the team's struggles continue. Despite the efforts of Spadone, Curtin, and Amon Dörries, who scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, the Bison couldn't keep up with Navy's high-powered offense. The game was classified as a Q3 opportunity for Bucknell, but the loss will do little to boost their tournament resume.
On the other hand, Navy's win will have minimal impact on their resume, as it was considered a Q4 game. However, the Midshipmen's dominant performance will certainly help to build momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. With a net ranking of 159, Navy is still on the outside looking in when it comes to tournament contention, but a strong finish to the season could put them in the conversation.
As for Kehoe, his outstanding performance will only add to his growing reputation as one of the top players in the league. His ability to dominate the game on both ends of the floor makes him a nightmare to match up against, and Navy will continue to rely on him as they push for a postseason berth.