Boston University defeats top-seeded Navy 73-72 in Patriot League semifinal
Authored by sportsite777.com, Mar 09, 2026
Boston University's men's basketball team advanced to the Patriot League championship game with a 73-72 victory over No. 1 seed Navy on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Maryland. The No. 4 seed Terriers rallied in the final seconds to upset the Midshipmen, who entered with the conference's best regular-season record.[1][2]
The game was tied 70-70 with 8.4 seconds left when Navy guard Austin Benigni took an inbound pass and drove coast-to-coast for a go-ahead layup. Boston University quickly inbounded to guard Chance Gladden, who dribbled across midcourt with a behind-the-back move before launching a desperation shot from well beyond the three-point line. The shot banked in at the buzzer.[1][3]
Gladden led the Terriers with 26 points on 8-of-12 field goal shooting, including three three-pointers, and added four assists. Guard Michael McNair contributed 22 points.[1][4]
Navy forward Aidan Kehoe recorded 26 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in the loss. Benigni finished with 17 points.[2]
The Terriers improved to 17-16 overall, while Navy fell to 26-7. Boston University won its quarterfinal matchup prior to the semifinal.[1][2]
Boston University will face Lehigh in the Patriot League championship on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The winner earns the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division I tournament.[3]
The Patriot League men's basketball tournament features the top eight teams in a single-elimination format, with semifinals hosted by the higher remaining seeds.[3]
Sources
- Boston University Athletics, Men's Basketball, accessed March 3, 2026, https://goterriers.com/sports/mens-basketball
- United States Naval Academy Athletics, Men's Basketball, accessed March 3, 2026, https://navysports.com/sports/mens-basketball
- Patriot League, Men's Basketball, accessed March 3, 2026, https://patriotleague.org/sports/mbball/index
- ESPN, Boston University Terriers Men's Basketball, accessed March 3, 2026, https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2206/boston-university-terriers