Navy trumps Lafayette 69-65

EASTON, Pa. (AP) Brandon Venturini had 16 points, six rebounds and five steals to lead Navy over Lafayette 69-65 on Saturday.

Worth Smith scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Tilman Dunbar added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting as the Midshipmen (6-8, 2-0 Patriot League) shot 50 percent from the floor.

Navy scored the first six points of the game as Lafayette missed its first four shots and turned the ball over three times in the first 3:19, and a 9-0 run on three consecutive 3-pointers allowed Navy to lead 32-26 at the half.

Lafayette (9-4, 1-1) fought back and tied the game at 51 with 6:39 left, but Venturini responded with a 3, then Will Kelly and Venturini made layups and Lafayette couldn't answer.

Seth Hinrichs paced Lafayette with 23 points and Zack Rufer added 14.