Navy’s momentum didn’t blink. The Midshipmen, carrying a five-game win streak into Saturday, handled Loyola Maryland 87-71 on January 31, 2026, using winning stretches on both sides of halftime to separate from the Greyhounds.
Game flow: Navy wins the key windows
The clearest separator came around the break. Navy took the second quarter 44-36 to build an eight-point halftime advantage, then matched that control with another eight-point edge in the fourth, 43-35, to slam the door.
That formula — win the “middle” of the game, then win the finish — kept Loyola Maryland from ever stringing together enough stops to turn the night into a possession-by-possession grind.
Turning point: Halftime cushion becomes a runway
Loyola Maryland hung around through the first half, but Navy’s +8 in the second quarter created a margin that changed the game’s shape. From there, the Midshipmen didn’t need perfection — they needed pace, composure, and consistent execution to keep the Greyhounds chasing.
When Loyola Maryland tried to make a late push, Navy answered with its best closing quarter, winning the fourth 43-35 and turning a competitive frame into a comfortable finish.
What it means
Navy’s 87 points underscored an offense that’s humming during this current run. The Midshipmen improved to 17-6 and extended their form to six straight wins, continuing to bank results that matter as the season turns toward the stretch run.
For Loyola Maryland, now 7-16, the path remains narrow: the Greyhounds showed they can score enough to stay attached, but the inability to win either the second or fourth quarter left them without the leverage needed to steal a road result.
Score by quarter
Loyola Maryland: 36 (Q2), 35 (Q4) — 71 total
Navy: 44 (Q2), 43 (Q4) — 87 total
Final: Navy 87, Loyola Maryland 71 (Venue: TBD)