Mountain Hawks pull away with a late run
Defense is the stock in trade of the Naval Academy. But the commodity was in short supply Wednesday night at Alumni Hall, where the Midshipmen faced the most potent offensive team in the Patriot League.
Yielding runs to the basket, open shots from the perimeter, and offensive rebounds for the taking, Navy never led on its way to an 87-72 loss to Lehigh before 2,021 in Annapolis.
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The teams entered in a five-way tie for fourth place in the muddled conference standings, but Lehigh (13-11, 4-5), which leads the league in scoring (73.6 ppg) was in high gear behind active guards Michael Ojo (23 points, 11 rebounds) and C.J. McCullom (20 points, 9 rebounds), who had free rein in open floor situations.
“Our transition defense tonight was scattered,” said Navy coach Billy Lange. “I haven’t seen it like that.”
Lange credited the hustle Lehigh guard Prentice Small (9 assists, 6 rebounds), a 5-9 senior who came off the bench and made a difference in his 22 minutes. Also contributing were sophomore forwards Holden Greiner (8 points, 8 rebounds) and Gabe Knutson (11 points, 5 rebounds), and 6-6 junior reserve Jordan Hamilton (12 points).
“We’re definitely under-sized,” said Lange. “I don’t think it’s the fight. I think it’s a little bit focus.”
In completing its regular season sweep of Navy (8-17, 3-6), Lehigh dominated the boards, 49-25, collected 13 offensive rebounds, shot 49.2 percent from the floor and 50 percent (10 of 20) from 3-point range.
“We went to get the ball at the height of its jump, multiple times,” said Lehigh coach Brett Reed. “I was pleased with the effort we gave to make sure we focused on rebounding.”
Lehigh scored nine straight points early, capped by a three-point-play by reserve guard Anthony D’Orazio (6 points), which gave the Mountain Hawks a 24-11 lead, which the Mids never challenged until the second half.
After halftime adjustments, Navy rallied. Three-pointers by freshmen Isaiah Roberts (8 points) and Brennan Wyatt, and senior Greg Brown (6 points), fueled a 15-5 run as Navy pulled close, 60-59. But Lehigh answered with a 15-1 run – with six different players scoring field goals — to regain control for good.
“I was very pleased with our willingness to share the basketball,” said Reed. “We made good passes. We were unselfish. That led to us getting high-quality shots.”
Navy stayed within striking distance throughout thanks to the solid offensive work of of freshman forward J.J. Avila (22 points, 4 steals), senior guard O.J. Avworo (15 points, 6 assists) and junior guard Jordan Sugars (13 points, 8 rebounds). But sustaining anything positive was complicated by the Mids’ defensive woes.
“Navy is a team that plays consistently hard,” said Reed. “I think you have to give our players credit.”
After winning three straight and appearing set to challenge in the Patriot League, Navy has lost two in a row by a combined 41 points. But Lange sounded upbeat on the Mids chances of rebounding.
“Our goals are still right there in front of us. We got to keep battling,” said Lange. “I’m proud of our guys, we fight back. There’s no quit in our guys, but it gets to a point where decision-making, on both ends [is lacking].”
