Feb. 27, 2008

Box Score | Photo Gallery

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Senior guard Greg Sprink scored 34 points with seven assists and Navy outscored American, 28-10, in the last seven minutes to defeat the Eagles, 83-68, in front of 3,191 fans at Alumni Hall. The win lifted Navy into a first-place tie with American in the Patriot League race at 9-4. Navy is now 16-12 overall and has won six games in a row.

In addition, the Mids hold the tiebreaker over American and with a win on Saturday at Colgate will clinch the Patriot League regular-season championship and the top seed in the Patriot League Tournament.

"It was a great game for the area and the Patriot League and for both programs. The energy in the arena tonight was electric and it was fun to be a part of it," said Navy head coach Billy Lange, who won his 50th game at Navy. "We made a lot of critical plays when we needed to down the stretch. This team has shown a lot of resiliency and determination in key spots during the year and tonight was just another example of it."

The Mids led for virtually the entire first half, leading by as many as 12 in the opening stanza before settling for a 41-33 halftime lead.

Navy still led by six at 51-45, before American went on a 13-4 run to take a 58-55 advantage with 7:15 to play. On its next possession, Navy snapped an eight-minute drought without a field goal on a Adam Teague three-pointer with 7:03 to play to tie the game at 58.

That is when Navy senior Greg Sprink took over. Sprink scored 13 of his 34 points in the last six minutes to help Navy to its 28-10 run over the final seven minutes. Sprink finished the game with a season-best seven assists and five rebounds, while connecting on a season-best six three-pointers.

"I think the game found me at the end. I hit a little lull in the second half, but my teammates and staff picked me and got my focus back," said Sprink, who celebrated his final regular-season home game with his sixth career 30-point game. "The team wanted to send Ben (Biles) and I out on a high note. I am just very proud of all the guys and the effort and focus we have had."

Sprink finished the game 11-of-24 from the field, including 6-of-15 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. He scored 70 points in two games against American this year.

"Greg has been through a lot in his four years and what he has done the last six games has cemented his legacy here," said Lange. "From the last time we played American, he has played with the intensity and desire on both ends needed to be successful. He made some big-time plays tonight. He played a complete game and its rewarding to see him perform like that."

The Mids took the lead for good on a Sprink layup at 60-58 with 6:05 to play followed by a Chris Harris three-pointer with 5:24 to play for a 63-58 advantage.

Navy then closed out the game by connecting on 11-of-12 free throws in the final minute for the 15-point victory.

The Mids won for the sixth straight despite trailing in the second half. Navy's experience of playing in close games all season long has helped the squad during the current run.

"I thought a big reason we won tonight is that this team has done a great job staying focused and not letting the game get too big," said Lange. "We have never once said 'This is a big game'. We just worry about ourselves and try and go out and play Navy basketball and play one game at a time. We have taken great pride when playing for Navy."

Besides Sprink's 34, Kaleo Kina scored 17 points and Chris Harris added 13 points, seven assists and two steals.

Carr led American with 20 points.

The Mids shot 25-of-63 (.397) from the field, and 15-of-38 (.395) from three-point range. The three-pointers made and attempted are the second most in a single game in school history. The Mids committed just eight turnovers, including one in the first half. Navy shot 18-of-22 (.818) from the free throw line, including 17-of-18 (.944) in the second half.

American shot 24-of-50 (.480) from the field and 6-15 (.400) from three-point range. American entered the game averaging the fewest turnovers in the league at 13.5 per game, but committed 21 turnovers. Navy turned the 21 turnovers into 26 points.

The Mids will travel to Colgate for a 2:00 pm tip-off on Saturday, in Hamilton, N.Y. The contest will be televised locally (New York) on Time-Warner Sports.

# GO NAVY #