Men’s Basketball: Terriers Fall to Naval Academy in Patriot League Opener

By Brendan Galvin

Boston University Men’s Basketball (7-7, 0-1) faltered in their Patriot League opener as they lost to the Naval Academy (8-5, 1-0) 75-58 at Case Gym on Friday.

In their final game of 2022, the Terriers started the game on a 9-2 run, but quickly cooled off after the opening three minutes of the game. 

BU ended the first half shooting 11-for-33 (33%), including 3-for-18 (17%) from behind the arc. Despite the poor day shooting, the team had 17 offensive rebounds, including five from sophomore forward Malcolm Chimezie and three each from senior forward Nevin Zink and grad forward Fletcher Tynen. Yet, the team was unable to convert on those offensive rebounds, recording only 14 second-chance points. 

Zink was unable to have as big of an impact on the boards as he has this season due to foul trouble, eventually fouling out with four minutes left in the game. 

The team also had three scorers in double digits, including grad forward Walter Whyte and senior guard Ethan Brittain-Watts, who each totaled 16 points. Tynen also contributed 10 points. 

The poor shooting day from BU allowed Navy to back down into a 2-3 zone defense and rebound the ball more efficiently. When the Terriers were able to get within three points after a bucket from Chimezie, the Midshipmen switched back to a man-to-man defense to better defend the perimeter. 

Three points would be the closest the Terriers would get to the lead, as Navy pulled away in the final minutes, closing the game out on 9-for-10 shooting from the free throw line. 

For Navy, senior forward Tyler Nelson led the way with 25 points, four rebounds and an assist. Nelson was also perfect from the line, going 9-for-9. Senior guard Sean Yoder also tallied 17 points, six rebounds and an assist. Yoder was able to convert on multiple And-1 attempts, shooting 6-for-7 on free throws. 

Entering the game as the best free-throw shooting team in the Patriot League, it was an unusual day from the stripe for BU, as they shot 6-for-14 (43%). On the other hand, a Navy team that has struggled shooting free throws this season shot 21-for-23 (91%) on Friday afternoon. 

BU looks to notch their first conference win and first win of 2023 on Monday afternoon against Bucknell University. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.