EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette held its own against Patriot League leader Navy (10-1) until the final minutes on Wednesday evening, falling by a 65-50 final at Kirby Sports Center.

Caleb Williams (13), Andrew Phillips (10) and Shareef Jackson (10) ended in double figures. Jackson and his freshman classmate, Christian Humphrey-Rembert, grabbed a team-high six rebounds apiece. Overall at the line, Lafayette tallied a perfect six-for-six with Williams securing four.

Four Midshipmen brought the opponents out to a 9-2 lead by the 16-minute mark of the first half.

The Leopards retaliated with a 7-2 run by 11:27, closing the gap to two, 11-9. Phillips, assisted by Shareef Jackson, tied the game a minute later with a layup.

With a defensive stop and a 3-pointer from Humphrey-Rembert, Lafayette stole its first advantage, 16-15, at 7:49.

Through the four-minute mark, the Leopards grabbed four offensive boards and had a steal to keep ahead of Navy, 20-19.

The Mids took a 7-4 edge to the halftime break, fueled by Cam Cole's three points, to recover a 26-24 advantage.  

Navy found its footing in the opening three minutes of the second half, netting 4-of-5 from the floor. Aidan Kehoe led the opponents to the 34-29 front (17:19).

At 16:14, Lafayette floor general Mark Butler hit a 3-pointer to get back within two points on the next play (34-32).

The Mids' hot scoring continued to 7:50 for a nine-point lead, 45-36.

Williams returned to the score sheet for five points in the next 35 seconds to get Lafayette to trail 45-41.

Navy's Austin Benigni kept up the pressure, 53-43, with six points of his own to remain on top at the five-minute mark.

Williams and Phillips combined for seven points to 2:08, as Navy kept out of reach thereafter. In that 60-50 lead, the Mids sank 3-of-4 from the floor.

The opponents added three foul shots in the final minute before the 65-50 decision.

Donovan Draper paced three Navy players in double figures with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Mids finished at 49 percent from the floor and had 10 steals, leading to an 18-6 points-off-turnovers margin. The squad's 20 bench points overtook three from the Leopards.

Next up, the Leopards travel to Army for a 12 p.m. tip-off.


For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.