Courtesy of NavySports.com
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Despite a career-best 22-point performance from Navy sophomore Hasan Abdullah, the Navy men’s basketball team (0-1) fell short to Ohio State (1-0), 78-68, in the season-opening Veterans Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual on Friday at Alumni Hall.
Abdullah had a team-high 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-14 from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds, one assist and one steal. The point guard did not commit a turnover. Abdullah missed the majority of the second half of his freshman season with a hip injury and made his first career start against Ohio State.
“In the offseason my teammates and the coaching staff were very supportive,” said Abdullah on making his return. “They got me where I needed to be. We have a great training staff as well. I didn’t have any worries coming because my teammates kept my confidence up. They found me and I made open shots.”
Navy had a fast start to the game, pulling ahead for a 7-3 lead at the first media timeout. Junior Shawn Anderson made a layup and then Abdullah made the first of his six 3-pointers. Senior guard Tim Abruzzo then scored on a layup to put the Mids ahead by five.
The Buckeyes rallied to take the lead, but the Mids hung tough throughout the first half and trailed by five (33-28) at the break.
Much like the first half, Navy had a strong start to the second period. Abdullah opened the stanza with a 3-pointer and after a basket by Ohio State’s Jae’Sean Tate, Anderson hit a jumper. Senior Edward Alade‘s dunk evened the game at 35-35 with 18:20 remaining.
On the strength of Kam Williams‘ scoring, the Buckeyes would once again pull ahead, leading by as much as 18 before a late Navy rally would bring the final margin back down to 10.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” said Navy head coach Ed DeChellis. “I thought we really battled and we came out and played well from the start. Our guys did a great job of fighting and getting extra shots for us. We aren’t happy we got beat, but Ohio State is a very good basketball team.”
As a team, Navy shot 23-of-61 (37.7%) from the field and 8-of-29 from three-point land. The Mids controlled the offensive boards holding a 13-6 edge over Buckeyes. Ohio State shot 57.4 percent in the contest and held an overall rebounding edge of 39-31.
Navy was able to penetrate and outscored Ohio State in the paint, 30-22.
Senior forward James Hemphill scored a career-high 12 points and sophomore guard Ryan Pearson scored a career-best 10 points. Both Hemphill and Pearson came off the bench to provide offensive support.
Anderson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in a fine all-around game. He led Navy in rebounds, assists and steals on Friday.
Williams scored a game-high 23 points for Ohio State. He was 7-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-6 on 3-pointers. Keita Bates-Diop recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Marquette defeated Vanderbilt, 95-71, in the opening game of the third annual Veterans Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual.
Navy will next host Washington College (Md.) on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
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