ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Senior Darryl Shazier scored a career-high 28 points and Bucknell held off Navy 71-64 on Saturday night in the Patriot League opener for both teams.
The Bison (10-7) snapped a four-game Navy winning streak in the series. Bucknell has won eight of its last nine and is 1-0 in the conference for the first time since 2007-08.
Shazier was 10 of 17 from the field and hit 7 of 8 free throws.
The Midshipmen led by eight in the first half, but the Bison used a 9-2 spurt to trail 28-27 at the break.
The second half was tied four times. At 39-39, Bucknell went on a 6-0 run to take the lead for good.
Navy (5-12) got within two points on three occasions, the last time at 62-60 with 2:39 to go.
The Bison hit 9 of 10 free throws to seal the win.
Mike Muscala added 19 points for Bucknell and Joe Willman had 12.
J.J. Avila paced the Midshipmen with 20 points.
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