Box Score Wofford-Navy Box (pdf)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Wofford College men’s basketball team was defeated 75-70 by the Naval Academy on Friday night at Alumni Hall. Tim Johnson and Noah Dahlman each had career-highs with 20 and 22 points, respectively.
Wofford is 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the conference, while Navy is 10-4 overall and have not started Patriot League play. The Terriers were led by Noah Dahlman with 22 points and Tim Johnson with 20 points. Tim Johnson led with a career-high 16 rebounds. Navy was led by Chris Harris with 17 points and Adam Teague with 16 points as five Midshipmen scored in double figures.
“We were short-handed without Salters tonight but we gave ourselves a chance to win the game,” said head coach Mike Young. “We were just a play or two away from coming in here and stealing one from a team that has been very good to this point. I am disappointed we did not win, but I am proud of the grit and determination on the part of our team.”
The Midshipmen scored first, but Wofford held a 6-4 lead early. Navy then went on an 11-0 run to take a 15-6 lead at 14:40 in the first half. The Terriers responded with a 10-0 run, which included seven points by Noah Dahlman and a three by Kevin Giltner for a 16-15 lead.
A three by Chris Harris for Navy ended the Wofford run at 15:15 in the first half and gave the Midshipmen an 18-16 lead. The score stayed close until a 7-0 run by Navy pushed the lead to 29-22 at the five minute mark. Tim Johnson scored two straight baskets in the paint for Wofford and the score was 31-27 Navy with 4:25 remaining. Navy was able to add to the lead and had an eight point lead with 2:18 on the clock. Wofford cut the lead to 35-31, but a three by O.J. Avworo at the buzzer gave the Midshipmen a 38-31 advantage at the break.
Wofford opened the second half with six straight points to cut the lead to 37-38 at 17:31. The Midshipmen then scored the next five points for a 43-37 lead at 15:53. The Terriers then were able to tie the game at 48-48 with a basket by Terry Martin at 11:51.
The Terriers got within one point at 52-51 with a three pointer by Corey Godzinski. With the score at 55-53, both teams did not score for the next three minutes until the 5:20 mark.
After the drought, scoring picked up pace as Navy hit back-to-back threes to take a 65-57 lead at 3:25 on the clock. Navy hit ten of ten free throws in the final two minutes to secure the 75-70 win.
Wofford shot 48.3% from the floor and 25.0% from three. The Terriers were 66.7% from the line. The Midshipmen shot 50.0% from the floor and 36.0% from behind the arc. Navy was 85.7% from the free throw line. Wofford had a 34-27 edge on the glass.
Wofford was without guard Junior Salters, who missed the contest due to injury. Brad Loesing fouled out with 1:32 left in the game for Wofford and Mark Veazey fouled out at 1:03 for the Midshipmen. Navy is 7-0 on the season at home.
The Terriers will play at South Carolina on Monday, January 5 in Columbia. The game will be televised on SportSouth and will be the final non-conference game of the season for Wofford.
