ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The triumvirate of Austin Benigni, Aidan Kehoe and Jordan Pennick combined for 60 points in an 82-77 victory by the Navy men's basketball team (9-5, 1-0) over Boston University (5-9, 0-1), Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Hall in Annapolis.  The game between the first (Navy) and second (Boston) place teams in this year's preseason poll served as the Patriot League opener for both teams.

The victory marked the eighth year in a row in which Navy won its opening game to a Patriot League season.  Additionally, Jon Perry joined Don DeVoe as the only Navy head coaches to win the first Patriot League game of their respective careers.   

The 82 points ranks second for the most by a Navy team in a Patriot League opening game to the 89 the Mids posted against Bucknell at the start of the 2000-01 season.

"Hard-fought game," said Perry. "I thought our guys played well. They had two great days of preparation.  I really liked our defense.  I thought we were great today defensively in a lot of areas.  Our bench stepped up (27 points).

Navy took an early 10-4 lead only to see Boston score 11 of the next 14 points to take a 15-13 advantage.  The teams traded baskets and the lead five times over the next six minutes, then back-to-back triples by Benigni gave the Mids a 25-20 lead.  The cushion grew to as many as seven points at 29-22 and 31-24 before Navy took a 35-30 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Mids entered the day averaging 6.1 three-point field goals made a game on the year, but were 7-15 from long range in the first half.  Three of those triples were from Benigni, who totaled 15 points and five assists in the first 20 minutes.  He scored 15 of Navy's last 19 points of the stanza.  Kehoe was held to just four points, but he snared 10 boards in the first half.

The Terriers quickly made it a one-point game at 37-36 in the opening moments of the second half.  The Mids responded and slowly extended the lead to 42-36, 45-38, 50-41 and 57-45 with 8:22 left on the clock. Kehoe accounted for nine of those points, with Pennick also draining a pair of triples during that run.

"They (Boston) regrouped (at halftime)," said Perry.  "We came out a little flat.  We have to do a better job of our approach to the start of the second half.  In the (timeout) huddle, they put a pole in the ground a little bit and said enough was enough."

The lead grew to as many as 16 points at 65-49 with 5:14 still to play.  It was a 69-54 lead with 4:13 remaining, but the cushion dwindled to 69-60 with two minutes showing on the clock.  A pair of free throws by Benigni made it a 71-60 lead, then a three-point play on the other end made it a 71-63 game with 1:48 left.

Mike Woods missed a shot for the Mids, but Pennick was there for the offensive board and he was fouled while making a basket with 1:24 showing on the clock.  He missed the three-point play opportunity, however, then Chance Gladden was fouled on the Boston end of the court with 1:16 still to play.  He made both attempts from the foul line to decrease the margin back to eight points at 73-65.  Pennick again was fouled, and he also made just one of his two attempts as the scoreboard showed it was a 74-65 game with 76 seconds left.  

Gladden again scored on a drive to the basket (74-67, 57 seconds), with Benigni quickly being fouled on the inbounds pass.  He stepped to the foul line with 55.7 seconds remaining and made only the first of his two attempts to stretch the lead back to eight points at 75-67. Gladden again scored for the Terriers (75-69, 48.0), then Pennick was fouled with 45.9 seconds left.  This time he made both foul shots (77-69).  

Another basket by Gladden (77-71, 39.4) was followed by Pennick making two free throws (79-71, 31.4).  Gladden was fouled while sinking a drive in the lane and made the ensuing free throw to make it a 79-74 game with 24.3 seconds still to play.  Navy was able to run some time off the clock against the Boston press until Pennick was fouled with 16.4 seconds remaining.  He made the first attempt (80-74) and missed the second.  However, Woods slid in to grab the carom and he was fouled with 11.5 seconds remaining.  He made both attempts from the line to return an eight-point lead to the Mids.

The Terriers made more field goals (29-25) than the Mids and Navy made one more three-point basket (10-9) than Boston.  The foul line proved to be the difference as the Mids were 22-30 (73.3%) from the charity stripe and the Terriers were 10-12 (83.3%).  

Navy also held a 37-28 lead on the glass, an overall mark that also included a 10-4 edge in offensive boards.  

"We outrebounded them and made more free throws than they attempted," said Perry.  "Those were two key areas.

"Our ball pressure was really good (after halftime).  We started going under (screen) instead of chasing some guys, which we had started the game with."

Benigni finished the game with 27 points and eight assists to record the fourth 27 / eight effort in a Patriot League regular season game in the last 23 seasons and the first since Colgate's Jordan Burns had those same stats against Navy seven seasons ago.  

"That's just who he (Benigni) is," said Perry.  "Being a point guard, a four-year guy, knowing what league play is about and trusting his teammates."

Kehoe missed his opening two attempts from the field, but was 7-8 from the floor the rest of the way as he posted 15 points and 15 rebounds.  It was the first 15 / 15 game by a Mid in a home league game since Evan Wieck had 19 and 15 against Lehigh on Jan. 23, 2019.

Pennick entered the day without having scored in double figures since he tallied 17 points against NJIT on Nov. 22.  He left the court this afternoon after he scored 18 points.  Also for Navy, Cam Cole totaled nine points and four rebounds and did not commit a turnover in nearly 30 minutes of playing time.

Navy now takes to the road for a Saturday afternoon game at Holy Cross.