WASHINGTON — In an assertive display of skill, Jordan Pennick managed to score 22 points, leading Navy to a triumphant victory over American with a final score of 68-60 on Wednesday night.
Pennick didn’t stop at scoring and contributed five rebounds to his team’s efforts. The Midshipmen, now standing at a 12-18 record with a 9-8 standing in the Patriot League, saw additional strength from Mike Woods who shot perfectly for 12 points, hitting all of his field goals and free throws. Austin Benigni chipped in with 11 points, shooting 2 of 11 from the field and making 7 of his 9 free-throw attempts.
For American, Matt Rogers stood out by scoring 17 points, giving the Eagles, who hold an 18-12 record and 12-5 in the league, a fighting chance. Contributions also came from Greg Jones with 10 points and Colin Smalls who added nine points to the mix.
At halftime, Navy was ahead 30-27, with Pennick already showing his influence by contributing seven points. His outstanding 15-point performance in the second half was crucial for Navy as they capitalized on their lead to finish with an eight-point win.
This defeat places American in a first-place tie with Bucknell in the league standings.
Coming up next, both teams will conclude their regular seasons on Saturday. Navy is set to welcome Loyola Maryland at home, while American will hit the road to face Colgate.
