ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Kyle Carlesimo scored a career-best 20 points with six made 3-pointers but it wasn't enough to overcome top-seeded Navy, 85-69, in the regular-season finale Saturday afternoon inside Alumni Hall.
COACH LANGEL'S COMMENTS
"Hats off to Navy — they had a terrific regular season and showed their experience tonight. They came out determined and punched us in the mouth early, and we weren't ready for that. I'm disappointed in our preparation. Again that's on me.
"I'm proud of how our guys responded. We fought back, finished the first half strong, and cut it to two in the second. But against a veteran team like Navy, you can't dig that kind of hole.
"There were some positives and growth from our group, but we've got to clean up the details if we want to play at the level we expect in the postseason."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Navy came out red hot from three-point range, using a 13-3 run to build a double-digit first-half lead. Cam Cole opened the surge with a triple, and Donovan Draper capped it with a three-point play to make it 36-19 with seven minutes left in the half.
Kyle Carlesimo knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers before the break, including back-to-back makes to spark a rally. Layups from Ben Tweedy, Sam Wright, and Andrew Alekseyenko helped trim the deficit to 47-40 at halftime.
Carlesimo scored five quick points to open the second half, including his sixth 3-pointer, to pull Colgate within 49-47. Trifectas from Alekseyenko and Tweedy kept it a two-possession game at 59-55, but Navy seized control down the stretch.
A second-chance 3-pointer from Austin Benigni pushed the lead back to double digits, and the Midshipmen dominated the glass in the second half, outrebounding the Raiders 23-16, including a 10-4 edge on the offensive boards.
Navy put the game away with a late 15-2 run that stretched the margin to 80-61, and the Midshipmen pulled away for the 85-69 decision.
NOTES & NUMBERS
- Kyle Carlesimo scored a career-high 20 points with a collegiate-best six made 3-pointers. He made his second start of the season.
- Ben Tweedy finished with 16 points and a team-high four assists. He has now scored at least 12 points in four consecutive games.
- Andrew Alekseyenko chipped in 11 points, his 15th consecutive game reaching double-figures.
- Sam Wright led the team with six rebounds to go with 10 points.
- Navy swept the regular-season series against Colgate for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
UP NEXT
Colgate (17-14, 11-7 Patriot) has secured the No. 3 seed and will host sixth-seeded Loyola in the Patriot League tournament quarterfinal round Thursday at 7 p.m. Postseason tickets are set to go on sale Monday afternoon.
