UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) Brian Venturini did yeoman's work to help Navy crack the win column this season, eking out a 70-68 nail-biter against Binghamton in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena Sunday.
Venturini, with a high of 11 points this season, went off for 26. In the final 3:15 he nailed a 3-pointer to lift Navy to a 65-62 lead, went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, grabbed two defensive rebounds ... and survived a turnover on a bad pass.
The Midshipmen (1-4) may have entered the game winless, but their four opponents - Michigan State, Notre Dame, Providence and Northeastern - were a combined 13-1.
Binghamton (1-4) battled Navy to the end. Dusan Perovic (12 points) and Romello Walker hit 3-pointers to pull within 69-68, but the Bearcats had a layup blocked by Edward Alade with 11 seconds left and Willie Rodriguez (15 points) missed a 3 at the buzzer.
