BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Navy's Austin Benigni earned this week's Patriot League Player-of-the-Week award for men's basketball, the league office announced today.

Benigni averaged 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists and played all but 16 seconds during a pair of Navy victories last week.  He shot 45.5 percent (10-22) from the floor, 62.5 percent (5-8) from three-point land and made all 12 of his foul shots to garner his first award of the 2025-26 season and the fifth accolade of his career.

The senior guard began the week by posting 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 66-59 victory at Delaware State.  

Benigni then scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half of Navy's 61-56 win at home over Air Force.  He scored 13-straight points (FG, 3FG, 3FG, FG, 3FG) during one 2:20 stretch that turned a 41-34 deficit into a 47-41 lead.  Benigni was 7-11 from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range, and 6-6 from the foul line in the second half.  He also totaled seven rebounds (career high is eight) and five assists on the afternoon.

Navy will next be in action Dec. 19 against Coppin State.  That game will be played in Alumni Hall, as will the team's Dec. 21 game against Rosemont.