13 January, 2007
by Elliot Smilowitz
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1st |
2nd |
Final |
| Lafayette (7-11, 1-2 Patriot) |
16 |
28 |
44 |
| Navy (11-7, 1-2 Patriot) |
28 |
32 |
60 |
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Just as Navy and American also did, Navy got its first Patriot League win today, downing Lafayette 60-44 in Annapolis. Greg Sprink led the Midshipmen with 23 points.
The Leopards were ice cold from the start of the game, scoring 3 points in the game’s first 10:21. Although they picked up the pace, it was not enough to close the lead, as Navy led by double digits the entire second half. The Midshipmen maintained their lead by converting 20 of 25 free throw attempts over the course of the game. Meanwhile, the Leopards missed everything, going 30.8 percent from the floor, 20.0 percent from the arc, and 50.0 percent from the free throw line.
Matt Betley scored 19 points off the bench on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Lafayette in both categories. He was, however, the only Leopards bench player to score a point. Paul Cummins added 13 points; no other Leopard reached double digits. On Navy’s side, Sprink was aided by Adam Teague, who scored 10.
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| Keys to the Game |
| Key sequence |
Navy took the lead with a Sprink three-pointer 18 seconds into the game and stayed on fire, opening up an early 13-3 lead. Teague had 9 of the first 13 points, while Lafayette had 9 turnovers before they had made 2 baskets.
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| Key sign it was over |
With 5:15 left in the game, Andrew Brown hit a three to bring Lafayette within 13 points. The Leopards got the ball back with a chance to cut further into the lead, but Kerry Kenny missed a three and Sprink responded with a lay-up to keep the control on Navy’s side and allow the Mids to run out the clock the rest of the way.
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| Key performance |
Sprink had a big day, leading all scorers with 23 points, including 3 three-pointers and a 10-for-10 performance from the line. He also grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds.
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| Key statistic |
The Leopards shot 5-of-25 from the arc, dooming themselves.
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| Notes |
| – |
Navy’s matchup zone gave Lafayette fits. The Leopards had 24 turnovers, with Navy being credited for 10 steals. Forwards Teague and Trey Stanton grabbed 3 steals each.
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| – |
All of Lafayette aside from Betley was a combined 8-for-40 on field goals.
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| – |
In a battle of two relatively undersized teams, Lafayette outrebounded Navy 40-37.
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Lafayette heads home to face Bucknell this week, while the Mids travel north to do battle with league-leading Holy Cross.
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