WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Jordan Penneck scored 15 of his career-high 20 points in the second half and Aidan Kehoe grabbed a series-record 20 rebounds in a 66-53 victory by the Navy (7-14, 4-4 Patriot League) men's basketball team over Army (11-9, 5-3), Sunday afternoon at Christl Arena in West Point, N.Y.

"It was a typical Army Navy game; a rock fight," said Navy head coach Ed DeChellis, who was coaching in his 28th Army-Navy game.  "I thought we just made some shots in the second half that gave us some separation."

Navy jumped out to a 15-9 lead and built a 24-16 cushion with four minutes left in the first half.  Army responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 24.  A late basket by Kehoe gave the Mids a 26-24 lead at the break.

Navy was just 2-15 (13.3%) from three-point range in the first half but was 10-13 (76.9%) in its two-point attempts.  Kehoe alone was 4-4 as he accrued eight points and 10 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

"I don't think either team shot the ball very well in the first half," said DeChellis.  "Everybody had open shots but couldn't make a basket.  A lot of anxiety in this game; a lot of nerves."

The Mids were able to regain a 33-28 lead less than five minutes into the second half, but Army answered with the ensuing six points to take a 34-33 lead.  The score would be tied at 34-34 and 36-36.  On the next three Navy possessions, Pennick drilled a triple, Jinwoo Kim followed with a trey of his own and Pennick hit another three-point basket to give the Mids a 45-36 lead with 7:46 showing on the clock.

The Black Knights slowly shaved the margin down to 45-41 with 6:30 remaining.  Navy scored on each of its next six possessions to push its lead out to 59-46 with just under two minutes left to play.  Pennick scored the last eight points of that 14-5 run with a triple, a field goal and another three-point basket.

Navy was 7-8 from the foul line down the stretch to seal the victory.  

The Mids shot 30.6 percent from the field and were 6-18 (33.3%) from three-point range after halftime.  Army had a slightly higher percentage (32.3%) after halftime but was 3-15 (20%) from beyond the arc.  Navy also was 12-14 (85.7%) from the foul line and the Black Knights were 6-12 (50%).

The Mids shot 36 percent from the field for the game and were 8-33 (24.2%) from three-point land.  Army shot 31.1 percent from the floor and was 7-30 (23.3%) from long range.

Army entered the day averaging 69.1 points per game in league play.

"It (the defensive plan) somewhat worked," said DeChellis.  "They missed some open shots.  We talk about wanting our defense and rebounding to travel.  Our defense will tell us if we win games and our offense will tell us by how much.  We made just enough points in the second half to build some separation.  It wasn't anything magical."

Navy held a 33-18 edge on the glass in the second half and ended the game with a 57-35 advantage.  That includes a 19-11 lead in offensive boards.

Kehoe totaled eight offensive boards (also an Army-Navy game record) and 12 defensive caroms.  His 20 rebounds are the most a player from either team in an Army-Navy game (19, Army's Kevin Ferguson, Feb. 20, 2016, double overtime) and are the most by a Navy player in a Patriot League regular season game (19, Matt Fannin, vs. American, Jan. 12, 2005).  Additionally, he is the first Mid since David Robinson to total 20 or more rebounds in a game (21, at James Madison, Jan. 10, 1987).

"I thought we really rebounded the ball well," said DeChellis.  "That was really important for us.  We wanted to win the rebounding battle.  Kehoe was great."

Kehoe also added 13 points to register his seventh double-double on the season and sixth in the last nine games.

Pennick was 4-6 from three-point range and 5-8 from the field overall in scoring his 15 second-half points.  The four triples ties his career high for a game and his 20 points betters his career high of 16.

Austin Benigni was 10-10 from the foul line in the second half and totaled 18 points, six rebounds and four assists for the game.

"I thought both teams played really hard," said DeChellis.  "It will be a tough practice day tomorrow for both teams because they let it all out there.  And that's what you expect when our two institutions get together. You expect it to be a rock 'em, sock 'em game, and it was.  We were fortunate to get out with the win.

"It (an Army-Navy game and the atmosphere surrounding it) is preparation for what these kids will do.  I think our institutions ... we are not backing down from anybody; I think that is important.  I think the competitive spirit is really important.  These young guys, on both sides, are part of the most powerful military force in the world.  We take that very seriously.  That's displayed out there (on the court). I will go to battle with either of these teams, any of these kids.  They want it, they thrive on the competitive spirit and they are going to represent us well.  I can sleep well tonight knowing the guys on both sides."

Navy goes back on the road for a Wednesday game at Lehigh.