NCAAM Scheduled
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Navy

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Bucknell

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Preview

LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — A surging Navy squad looks to continue its dominance in Patriot League play when it visits struggling Bucknell on Monday night at Sojka Pavilion. The Midshipmen (19-6) enter on a seven-game winning streak, their latest an 82-73 victory over American on Saturday. They have not lost since a Jan. 12 road defeat to the same Eagles. Navy’s defense has been stifling during the run, holding five of its last seven opponents under 65 points. Bucknell (8-17) has lost three of its last four, including a 78-59 home loss to league-leading Colgate on Saturday. The Bison have shown flashes, with a double-overtime win over Boston University and a one-point road victory at American in recent weeks, but consistency has eluded them. The teams met just over a month ago in Annapolis, with Navy cruising to a 76-55 win on Jan. 7. The Midshipmen have won nine of the last 10 matchups in the series. A key battle will feature two of the conference’s top performers. Navy is led by versatile forward Donovan Draper, who is coming off a dominant 18-point, 14-rebound, five-assist effort against American. Over his last five games, Draper is averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Bucknell’s offense runs through guard Amon Dƶrries, a high-volume scorer who has topped 20 points in four of his last six outings. He poured in a career-high 36 points in the double-overtime win over Boston University on Jan. 31 and scored 25 in the loss to Colgate. Navy’s balanced attack also features guard Austin Benigni and forward Aidan Kehoe, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds against American. Bucknell will need more secondary scoring behind Dƶrries, with forward Achile Spadone (16 points, 8 rebounds vs. Colgate) as a likely candidate. The game is critical for Patriot League tournament seeding. Navy sits firmly in second place, while Bucknell is near the bottom of the standings and fighting to secure a postseason berth. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.

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