Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. - The Navy men's basketball team (3-2) won its third straight game by using a strong defensive effort in a 75-54 win over UMBC (1-5) on Wednesday night at the RAC Arena.

Navy held UMBC to just 34 percent (14-of-41) from the floor and only five percent (1-of-19) on 3-pointers. However, Navy committed 24 fouls and the Retrievers took advantage by shooting 25-of-30 from the free throw lines.

"Anytime you can win on the road, it's a great thing," said head coach Ed DeChellis. "We've won two straight on the road now and I am very proud of our kids. We started out 0-2 this season and our backs were against the wall. I think we are growing as a team. We have pretty good chemistry and they are starting to believe in themselves. Overall it was a pretty good night for us."

Senior captain Kendall Knorr poured in a career-high 18 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, while grabbing four rebounds. Classmates Will Kelly (14 points, four rebounds) and Tilman Dunbar (13 points, three rebounds, three assists) joined Knorr in double figures on Wednesday.

Navy made its first five shots of the game and Knorr hit two early 3-pointers to get the Mids off to a strong start.

Navy continued to open up its lead when Kelly made a baseline jumper at the end of the shot clock, followed by a steal and a breakaway layup from sophomore Shawn Anderson. Dunbar made a driving layup and then after two UMBC free throws, Kelly threw down a two-handed dunk to put the Mids up 14.

The Mids led by 12 at halftime and then opened the second half on a 12-3 run to go ahead by 21 points at 48-27 with 14 minutes to play. Kelly and Lacey scored inside before a UMBC three-point play from Rodney Elliot. Knorr then finished a nice give-and-go with Tom Lacey and then Knorr drilled another 3-pointer to prompt a UMBC timeout.

UMBC couldn't get closer than 14 points for the rest of the game and a late layup by James Hemphill and a 3-pointer from freshman Ryan Pearson pushed the final win margin to 21 points.

Navy shot a season-best 57 percent from the floor (28-of-49) and the Mids were 7-of-13 on 3-pointers (54 percent).

The Mids held a plus-13 edge in rebounding (35-22), but struggled to take care of the ball and committed 19 turnovers.

Knorr's previous career-high in scoring was 17 points.

Anderson scored eight points, while Lacey, Pearson and Tim Abruzzo each finished with five.

Navy, the Patriot League leader in scoring defense, has held four of its five opponents to under 60 points this season.

Freshman Joe Sherburne led UMBC with 14 points and Elliot finished with 11.

Navy was playing its first of seven straight games away from home. The Mids will open the Spartan Showcase on Friday at UNCG.