WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Navy men’s basketball team, riding a nine-game winning streak, visits rival Army on Saturday at Christl Arena in a Patriot League matchup defined by contrasting fortunes. The Midshipmen (22-6, 12-1 Patriot) have been the class of the conference, boasting the league’s best record and a dominant 84-56 victory over the Black Knights just four weeks ago in Annapolis. Army (11-17, 5-8), meanwhile, has struggled for consistency but is coming off an 87-77 road win at Loyola Maryland. Navy’s engine is dynamic guard Austin Benigni, who torched Army for 19 points and six assists in the January meeting. He is averaging 17.4 points and 4.6 assists over the last eight games, including a 25-point, seven-assist performance in Wednesday’s 72-49 rout of Lehigh. Army will counter with guard Ryan Curry, who scored 15 points in the first matchup and is coming off a 17-point outing at Loyola. His backcourt mate, Jacen Holloway, also had 17 points in that win, providing a needed scoring lift. The game represents a stark reversal from recent seasons in the rivalry. Navy’s streak is its longest in over two decades, fueled by a defense allowing just 60.8 points per game during the run. Army, which has lost eight of its last twelve, will need a significant defensive improvement after allowing Navy to shoot 54.7% from the field in the prior meeting. A raucous sellout crowd is expected at West Point, where Army will aim to salvage a season split and play spoiler to Navy’s title aspirations. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 21. The Midshipmen, currently atop the Patriot League standings, visit Loyola Maryland next Wednesday. Army hosts Bucknell on the same night.