Men's Basketball Drops Veterans Classic at Navy, 78-71

Wednesday, November 25

Annapolis, MD

12 p.m.

George Washington University

0-1,0-0Atlantic 10

Navy

1-0,0-0Patriot

George Washington

Navy

11/25/2020 4:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

GW and Navy had the early college basketball spotlight all to themselves on Wednesday afternoon when the clubs met at Navy's Alumni Hall for the Veterans Classic and the first nationally televised game of the college basketball season.

New faces in new places were all over the floor for the Buff and Blue, as newcomers Matt Moyer (Vanderbilt) and James Bishop (LSU) started for GW in the opener, alongside sophomores Jamison Battle, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Chase Paar.

GW couldn't keep up with Navy's early shooting pace, as the home team sank 17-of-31 (.548) first-half field goals, including 6-of-12 from long range. Bishop kept GDUB close early with eight points and four assists in the opening stanza, as the visitors stared down a 11-point deficit in the halftime locker room, 41-30.

Battle's shooting made the second half a treat for the viewing audience, as his sharpshooting kept the contest close. Last year's A-10 leader in 3s made canned 3-of-5 second-half 3-point attempts, and his 13 points in the game's final 20 minutes kept GDUB in it. Bishop was close behind with 12 in the half, while Nelson netted 10 after halftime, showcasing the offensive firepower of the sophomore class.

Ultimately, Navy's depth was too much to overcome as nine Midshipmen logged 10+ minutes. Four of GW's starters logged 30+ minutes, paced by Bishop (36) and Battle (35). The duo earned the minutes by posting matching 20-point totals with Bishop's tally setting a new career high. The newcomer also took team-high assist honors with nine to establish a new career high in that category as well.

The turnover battle proved to be a major factor in the outcome of the game as Navy committed just nine miscues to GW's 16. After Battle and Bishop, Nelson finished with 18, as all three eclipsed Navy's leading scorer, John Carter, Jr., in a testament to the Middies' depth. Navy put nine in the scoring column.

As for GW, Battle's four 3s put him ahead of last year's conference-leading pace, with Bishop's three close behind, in Head Coach Jamion Christian's effort to see half of the team's field goals come from long distance this season. Against Navy, GW hoisted 29-of-52 field goals from deep.