WASHINGTON, D.C. -- American held the Navy men's basketball team to just four made first goals in the first half in jumping to an early lead as the Eagles (10-8, 3-2) handed the Mids (12-6, 4-1) their first loss of the Patriot League season, 65-51, Monday night at Bender Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Mids had won all four league games this year, seven-straight league regular season games dating back to last season and had defeated American in the last six league regular season games played in Washington, D.C.

"American was better than us tonight," said Navy head coach Jon Perry.  "They were quicker to the ball defensively (and) offensively they were really clicking.  I thought our turnovers early really got them (American) going."

Navy had one of its slowest starts to a game this season as it fell behind, 7-0, 14-6 and then 22-8 just 12 minutes into the game.  The Mids were 2-8 from the floor with eight turnovers and no offensive boards in that span while the Eagles were 9-25 shooting with two turnovers and eight offensive caroms.

The Eagles went into halftime with a 33-17 lead.

Navy was averaging 10.8 turnovers a game in league play this year, but committed 11 in the first half while forcing four.  

American was 13-37 in shooting in the half, including 4-20 from three-point range, and Navy was 4-14 overall from the floor with a 1-5 effort from outside the arc.

The Eagles held a 24-13 advantage on the glass including an 11-0 edge in offensive boards.

Austin Benigni picked up three fouls, was not credited with a field goal attempt and was just 2-2 from the foul line in the first half.

American took a 42-26 lead early in the second half, then Navy cut the deficit to nine at 44-35.  After each team had an empty possession, Benigni was fouled on a drive to the lane and his two made foul shots drew the Mids to within 44-37 with 10:32 left to play.

The Eagles answered by hitting back-to-back threes sandwiched around a missed shot by the Mids to regain a 50-37 lead with 9:16 remaining.  Another missed shot by the Mids was followed by American making a pair of free throws to take a 52-37 advantage.  

It soon became a 56-41 game when the Mids scored the next six points to again bring the deficit to single digits at 56-47 with just over five minutes remaining.  An American turnover was followed by a turnover by the Mids.  A basket by the Eagles, a missed shot by Navy and a three-point basket by American stretched the margin out to 61-47 with 3:28 remaining in the game.

"We were trying to go uphill the whole game," said Perry.  "I think the first seven minutes of the game really dictated the rest of the game.  We were down 33-17 at the half.  We outscored them in the second half, but you dig a hole and have to play perfect basketball during that second 20 minutes.  We were not able to do that."

American ended the game shooting 37.6 percent to Navy's 32.6 percent, but the volume of shots -- the Eagles were 25-66 and the Mids were 15-46 -- dictated the outcome.  American held a 15-9 lead on the offensive glass, a 42-35 rebounding lead overall and committed seven turnovers to 14 for Navy.  The Eagles held a 12-0 lead in points scored after turnovers.

""They were quicker to the ball," said Perry of the rebounding.  "It was a physical game.  I thought the referees were great.  They officiated a great game. There was a lot of emotion and intensity and they (American) out toughed us."

Benigni finished the game with 12 points while Aidan Kehoe was 3-8 from the floor in scoring eight points while grabbing 15 rebounds.  Leading Navy in scoring was Cam Cole with 13 points.

American's Greg Jones led all players with 23 points.

Navy will next be in action Saturday when it plays at Lehigh.