Boston U Sinks Navy’s March Madness Hopes with Buzzer-Beater Win

Navy basketball’s aspirations for a NCAA Tournament berth have come to an abrupt end following a dramatic 73-72 loss to Boston University in the Patriot League semifinals. This defeat marks a significant setback for a Navy team that was enjoying its best season in decades.

Buzzer-Beater Shocks Navy

The game was tightly contested, with both teams tied at 70 with just 8.4 seconds remaining. Navy, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, had possession and was poised to take the lead. Austin Benigni received the inbounds pass and sprinted down the court, scoring a layup to put Navy ahead by two points with only 4.1 seconds left.

However, Boston’s Chance Gladden responded in spectacular fashion. He received the ball and quickly broke through Navy’s defense. With a remarkable shot from 40 feet away, Gladden made a buzzer-beater that secured a 73-72 victory for Boston.

Game Clock Controversy

The game was not without controversy. The game clock operator failed to start the clock promptly when Gladden made his move. This oversight granted him extra time to execute his shot, leading to a tense moment as officials reviewed the play.

• After a thorough examination, officials determined that Gladden’s shot was valid.
• They confirmed there were 0.6 seconds remaining on the clock after the ball went through the net.

Referee Sean Hull announced to the crowd, “After further review, we have to put time on the clock. It did not start appropriately.” This decision left Navy with insufficient time for a final play, resulting in a missed desperation shot that sealed their fate.

Navy’s Historic Season Ends in Heartbreak

With this loss, Navy’s season ends at 26-7, dashing their hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament. The Midshipmen experienced a remarkable season, concluding the regular season with a stellar 17-1 record in conference play. This performance represented their best results since achieving a 26-6 record during the 1986-87 season.

As they face the aftermath of this defeat, Navy’s hopes now hinge on a potential invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), while Boston moves forward to compete against Lehigh in the Patriot League championship game. The winner of that matchup will earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.