ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Following an impressive non-conference season that marked the second-highest number of wins over the past decade, the Navy women’s basketball team is gearing up for the start of Patriot League competition. This Thursday evening, they will head to Washington, D.C. for a match against American University. The Midshipmen (8-3) are focused on building on their success, having ended the previous Patriot League regular season with a 7-3 record and aiming for continuity as they transition into league play. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 p.m. at the Eagles’ Bender Arena (0-11).
The contest between Navy and American will feature live statistics available online, and will be streamed on the ESPN+ platform. Note: ESPN+ is a subscription service that requires users to register for monthly or yearly plans before accessing the broadcast.
Navy vs. American
The series between the Mids and Eagles has seen a total of 69 encounters since its inception on February 16, 1978. Historically, American leads the rivalry 43-26, bolstered by a formidable 27-6 home record at Bender Arena. Conversely, Navy has a slight advantage in games played at Alumni Hall with a 19-14 record. Notably, Navy ended an 11-year, 14-game losing streak at Bender Arena on February 14, 2024, with a notable 69-55 win. Before this victory, all of Navy’s last three wins against American since 2017 were secured on home turf on March 1, 2017, February 28, 2018, and January 17, 2021. The Mids achieved their first season sweep over the Eagles since 2013 this year. In the 27 games since that sweep in 2013, Navy holds a 7-20 record against American, which has posted a 28-19 record against the Mids since joining the Patriot League in 2001-02. In the last ten meetings, American boasts a 7-3 overall record against Navy.
Last 5 Games:
March 2, 2024 (H): Navy 73 – American 57
February 14, 2024 (A): Navy 69 – American 55
March 4, 2023 (A): American 78 – Navy 71 **Patriot League Tournament First Round
February 22, 2023 (H): American 61 – Navy 49
January 28, 2023 (A): American 62 – Navy 55
Most Recent Navy-American Matchup … March 2, 2024 in Annapolis
Navy enjoyed a remarkable outing as they celebrated one of NCAA’s most inspiring revitalizations of the 2023-24 season with a resounding 73-57 victory over American. In a pre-game tribute for their senior class at Alumni Hall, Navy swiftly accumulated an early lead, showcasing their offensive prowess once again. The Mids (12-16, 8-9 PL) established a robust double-digit advantage in the first half and skillfully weathered American’s comeback efforts, holding the Eagles (9-19, 7-10 PL) to an abysmal 25% shooting performance in the second half while countering with an impressive 77.8% success rate in the fourth quarter.
Zanai Barnett-Gay was a dynamic force from the outset, scoring 16 of her game-high 23 points in the opening quarter. She shot 6-7 from the field before passing the torch to Sydne Watts, who contributed 13 of Navy’s 15 points in the second quarter and finished with 16 points. Kyah Smith consistently supported the offense with 14 points, demonstrating range with a 4-6 clip from three-point territory. The trio excelled not only in scoring but also contributed across multiple statistical categories: Barnett-Gay added five rebounds, five assists, and two steals, Watts collected three rebounds and two assists, while Smith facilitated four assists.
The pace of the game was electric from the beginning, with both teams demonstrating offensive efficiency, each shooting 50% in the first few minutes. Navy took an early lead and closed the first quarter with a 9-2 run. This strong start set a robust tone for the remainder of the game. Although American narrowed the gap in the second half, Navy countered decisively by shutting down scoring opportunities and escalating their lead through key offensive plays. Even as the Eagles attempted to reclaim momentum, Navy answered swiftly, culminating in a commanding 17-point lead late in the match.
Collectively, Navy’s performance was noteworthy as they outshot American, finishing with 53.6% from the field and 58.8% from beyond the arc, compared to the Eagles’ 38.3% and 23.1%, respectively. Additionally, Navy secured a crucial advantage at the free-throw line, where they shot 50%.
2023-24 Series Highlights
Both Maren Louridas (February 14) and Zanai Barnett-Gay (March 2) contributed significantly to Navy’s victory, each posting 23-point performances that helped the team achieve a season sweep of the Eagles. Barnett-Gay led in scoring across the two-game set, averaging 17.5 points per game, while Louridas and Kyah Smith averaged 15.5 and 13.0 points, respectively. Navy’s ability to command leads in both matchups proved crucial for their success, and they consistently pressured the Eagles defensively, forcing an average of 17 turnovers per game and limiting their shooting from long-range.
Comparing Teams in 2024-25
| (2024-25 Stats) | Navy | American |
| Record / League-Only | 8-3 / 0-0 PL | 0-11 / 0-0 PL |
| Home / Away / Neut. Record | 4-3 / 3-0 / 1-0 | 0-5 / 0-4 / 0-2 |
| Points Per Game | 71.0 PPG | 55.0 PPG |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 59.3 PPG | 71.1 PPG |
| Field Goal Percentage | 38.8% | 34.1% |
| 3-Point Percentage | 33.3% | 27.5% |
| Free Throw Percentage | 64.3% | 66.0% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 44.7 RPG | 37.1 RPG |
| Assists/Turnovers Per Game | 14.6 / 15.7 | 13.0 / 19.4 |
Individual Leaders
| (2024-25 Stats) | Navy | American |
| Points Per Game | Zanai Barnett-Gay, 19.0 ppg | Cecilia Key, 9.5 ppg |
| Rebounds Per Game | Z. Barnett-Gay, 7.2 rpg | C. Key, 6.3 rpg |
| Assists Per Game | Z. Barnett-Gay, 3.0 apg | Ivy Bales, 2.8 apg |
| Field Goal Percentage | Kate Samson, 49.5% | C. Key, 41.3% |
| 3-Point Percentage | Mary Gibbons, 42.3% | Laura Nogues, 37.0% |
| Free Throw Percentage | Z. Barnett-Gay, 73.8% | Molly Driscoll, 76.7% |
Last Time Out — Thursday, Dec. 19 vs. Delaware in Annapolis
After a brief hiatus for exams, the Navy women’s basketball team returned to the court unphased, showcasing their determination with a strong 10-0 start against the University of Delaware, ultimately winning 79-69 at Alumni Hall. Following their initial surge, the Mids (8-3) faced a formidable challenge from the Blue Hens (3-7), who rallied back with a 12-0 run late in the first quarter. From that point onward, the game remained tightly contested until the Mids took control in the fourth quarter, shooting 90% from the field and solidifying their non-conference success with the second-highest win tally in the last two decades.
Zanai Barnett-Gay and Kate Samson were instrumental in the victory, combining for 45 points on an impressive 19-31 shooting, alongside 15 rebounds. Barnett-Gay achieved a season-high of 27 points and six assists, complemented by eight rebounds, while Samson tallied 18 points, matching her career-best, to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.
The match began with Navy’s influential duo setting the tempo, scoring consistently and establishing their lead early on. Despite Delaware’s experience and quick adaptations, Navy’s offense remained tenacious, delivering key shots that kept them ahead. With a strategic combination of three-point shooting and effective drives to the basket, they solidified their position for a well-earned victory. As Navy gears up for the challenges in the Patriot League, they carry forward the momentum created during this non-conference phase, highlighting their potential for the rest of the season.
