3 January, 2007
by Elliot Smilowitz
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1st |
2nd |
OT |
Final |
| Navy (10-5) |
19 |
25 |
8 |
52 |
| NJIT (2-12) |
26 |
18 |
6 |
50 |
| Fleisher Athletic Center – Newark, NJ |
Boxscore |
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In a tight game, freshman forward Trey Stanton played the hero, blocking a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation and hitting 2 three-pointers in overtime as the Midshipmen pulled out a 52-50 victory over NJIT. Greg Sprink also played a key role for Navy, hitting the game-tying shot late in regulation and converting 2 free throws with seconds left in overtime to give Navy its winning margin.
The Mids opened the game ice cold, shooting 1-for-9 over the first 7 minutes as NJIT built a 14-4 lead. Navy quickly cut their deficit to 16-13, but NJIT responded with 7 unanswered points to take an 11-point lead, the largest of the game. The two teams played fairly evenly through halftime into the second half, until Navy used an 8-0 run, including 5 points from Sprink, to take a 38-37 lead, their first since the game’s opening minute.
NJIT responded with 7 unanswered points to claim a 44-38 lead with 5:37 to go. They would not score again in regulation. They went 0-for-4 from the field with 4 turnovers in the span, setting up Sprink and Stanton’s last-minute heroics.
Sprink had 16 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Midshipmen, never leaving the floor the entire game. Clayton Barker had 19 points to lead NJIT.
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| Keys to the Game |
| Key sequence |
Sprink hit a lay-up with 1:18 to go in regulation to tie the game at 44 apiece. NJIT then turned the ball over, and Navy held for the last shot but they too threw the ball away, with 8 seconds left. NJIT’s Kraig Peters took a potential game-winning shot with 1 second remaining but it was redirected by Stanton as the buzzer sounded, sending the game to overtime.
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| Key sign it was over |
Down by 2 with 21 seconds left, NJIT missed a three-pointer, but Nesho Milosevic grabbed the offensive rebound and eventually scored on a jumper with 8 seconds remaining. Navy came down the court and ran a last-second play for Sprink, who was fouled and converted both free throws. NJIT had seconds left for a miracle but could not get a shot off.
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| Key performance |
After a disappointing regulation with just 2 points, the block at the buzzer ignited Stanton, who hit 2 three-pointers and blocked an NJIT lay-up attempt in overtime. He finished the game with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks.
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| Key statistic |
NJIT shot 11-of-21 from the free throw line in regulation, including missing 2 attempts in overtime. They left valuable points on the board that could have won them the game.
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| Notes |
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For the first time this year, Chris Harris got the nod as a starter, with Kaleo Kina coming off the bench. Despite this, Kina still played 35 minutes, scoring 5 poins with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
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NJIT had 20 turnovers, with 11 of them credited as steals for Navy. Sprink, Kina, Harris, Stanton and Bryce Brigham all got 2 steals apiece.
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Both teams shot very poorly from the arc. Navy was 6-for-29 from downtown, NJIT 5-for-21.
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NJIT is now 0-4 against Patriot League teams. They previously lost at home to Lafayette, lost at American and lost at Army. After starting the season with wins against Manhattan and Rider they are 0-12 since.
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Navy begins Patriot League play this Saturday at Bucknell.
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