The Navy men’s basketball team secured a 70-23 win over Rosemont College on December 21, 2025, at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, marking one of the program’s strongest defensive showings in over seven decades. The Midshipmen improved to 8-5 on the season, while the game counted as an exhibition for Rosemont, a Division III program concluding its varsity athletics era ahead of a merger with Villanova University.
Navy established control early, opening with a 13-0 run in the first six minutes. Rosemont’s initial basket came at the 13:20 mark, but the Mids extended to a 17-9 lead before scoring 15 of the next 16 points to close the half at 35-12. Navy shot 52 percent (13-25) from the field in the opening period, holding Rosemont to 13.6 percent (3-22) and a 26-8 rebounding edge.
The second half began with Navy adding the first five points for a 40-12 advantage, sealing the outcome. The Mids finished at 45.1 percent shooting, with 13 of 17 players contributing at least two points. Rosemont managed 12.5 percent (5-40) overall and 15 percent (3-20) from three-point range. Navy collected 50 rebounds, including 18 offensive, to Rosemont’s 19 total, resulting in a 16-0 edge in second-chance points.
“We switched a lot of things,” Navy head coach Jon Perry said of the defense. “They ran a lot of motion and we had pretty good communication on the defensive end and, obviously, limiting them to one shot. We did a good job of blocking them out. Our gaps were really good. Because we were in gaps, they run a dribble-drive motion and we were able to keep the ball in front of us.”
On offense, Perry noted: “We were getting stops and pushing the ball. I thought we were getting really good looks and I liked our shot selection. I would have liked to have shot it better, but we did shoot 45 percent for the game and 30 percent (7-24) from three.”
Donovan Draper led Navy with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals. Aidan Kehoe added nine points and 10 rebounds, Mike Woods grabbed 11 rebounds with five assists, and Austin Benigni contributed eight points and five rebounds.
The 23 points allowed represent the fewest by a Navy opponent since game statistics began in the 1951-52 season, surpassing the prior low of 32 by Virginia on December 8, 1951. Rosemont’s five field goals undercut the previous mark of 10 from that same contest, per Navy athletics records.
Navy’s performance aligns with a rebuilding effort under Perry, in his first season as head coach after serving as an assistant. The Midshipmen have emphasized defensive intensity, allowing an average of 68.2 points per game entering the matchup, per NCAA statistics. The team features a mix of veterans and newcomers, with Draper, a sophomore forward, averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds through 13 games. Kehoe, a junior center, provides interior presence at 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Benigni, a senior guard, leads in assists at 4.3 per outing.
The victory positions Navy for Patriot League play, opening against Boston University on December 31, 2025, at home. The league, founded in 1990, includes 10 institutions with Navy joining in 1991. The Mids have claimed five regular-season titles, most recently in 2000, and reached the NCAA Tournament five times, last in 1998. Alumni Hall, seating 5,710, has hosted Navy basketball since 1991, replacing Halsey Field House.
Navy’s schedule includes nonconference games against varied opponents to build momentum. The Rosemont matchup, while lopsided, allowed extended minutes for reserves, with 17 players seeing action. Turnovers stood at 14 for Navy and 19 for Rosemont, with the Mids recording 10 steals.
Team statistics highlight Navy’s dominance: 45.1 percent field goals to Rosemont’s 12.5 percent, 29.2 percent from three to 15 percent, and 65.4 percent free throws to 76.9 percent. Rebounds favored Navy 50-19, points off turnovers 19-6, and bench points 35-11.
This result echoes Navy’s history of stout defense, including a 1994 upset of Georgetown when holding the Hoyas to 46 points. The program, established in 1907, has produced NBA talents like David Robinson, a two-time Olympian and Hall of Famer who led Navy to the 1986 Elite Eight.
As Navy transitions to conference play, focus shifts to improving offensive efficiency, currently at 42.3 percent shooting league-wide last season. Boston University, finishing 16-17 in 2024-25, presents an early test in the 18-game slate.
Navy’s win underscores program resilience amid service academy demands, where athletes balance academics and military training. The team next hosts Boston University, tipping at 1 p.m. on December 31.