Navy Overcomes Loyola 81-68, Led by Benigni’s 24 Points

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — In a commanding performance, Austin Benigni led Navy to an 81-68 victory over Loyola (MD) on Saturday, contributing 24 points to the Midshipmen’s efforts. Benigni also provided five assists, driving the Midshipmen’s success as they wrap up their season with a record of 13-18 overall and 10-8 in the Patriot League.
Jordan Pennick was instrumental in the win, contributing 18 points. He shot effectively, going 4 of 9 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from behind the arc, and was efficient at the free-throw line, hitting 8 of 10. Meanwhile, Lysander Rehnstrom added 11 points to the scoreboard, making 4 of 8 shots overall and 3 of 6 from 3-point territory.
On the other side, the Greyhounds, finishing with 11-18 overall and 6-12 in their league, were led by Milos Ilic. Ilic tallied 15 points and complimented his scoring with four assists. Jordan Stiemke added 12 points, while Veljko Ilic chipped in 10 points and dominated the boards with nine rebounds.
Initially, Navy faced a challenge, trailing 39-35 at halftime despite Pennick’s 11 points in the first half. However, Benigni took charge in the latter part of the game, scoring 17 pivotal points in the second half, which helped propel Navy to a decisive 13-point margin of victory.
This game spotlighted the key contributions by Navy’s players and highlighted their ability to rally in the second half to secure a solid win over their opponents.