Navy Men’s Basketball Holds Off Delaware State 66-60 as Jordan Pennick Scores Career-High 24 Points
By Brian Hradsky
Final Score: Navy 66, Delaware State 60
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy Midshipmen men’s basketball team earned its first victory of the 2026-27 season Thursday night, defeating the Delaware State Hornets 66-60 at Alumni Hall on November 5. Jordan Pennick delivered a career-high 24 points, while David Burnett recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Navy improved to 1-1 after bouncing back from a difficult season-opening loss to George Washington. The victory also gave the Midshipmen a successful start to their home schedule.
Pennick Returns With Career-Best Performance
Pennick made an immediate impact after missing Navy’s season opener while recovering from an injury. The guard scored 24 points, surpassing his previous career high of 23, and helped the Midshipmen maintain control during the final minutes. He connected on three of seven attempts from beyond the arc and converted 11 of 14 free throws. His offensive production proved essential in a contest that remained competitive throughout much of the second half.
Pennick scored 11 points before halftime and added another 13 after the break. His biggest contribution came late, when he scored five consecutive points to extend Navy’s advantage to 63-52 with less than a minute remaining. That sequence effectively ended Delaware State’s comeback hopes and secured Navy’s first win of the season. His return also provided the Midshipmen with another dependable scoring option as they continue developing their rotation.
Burnett Dominates the Glass
Junior forward David Burnett delivered one of the most complete performances of his collegiate career. Burnett finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and a blocked shot, providing Navy with valuable production on both ends of the court. Eight of his rebounds came on the offensive glass, allowing the Midshipmen to generate additional scoring opportunities. His performance followed an 11-point, seven-rebound effort against George Washington.
Burnett played an especially important role during a crucial second-half stretch. With Navy protecting a narrow advantage, he collected an offensive rebound and converted a putback to extend the lead to 55-50 with 4:40 remaining. He subsequently added a free throw after another Delaware State turnover, helping the Midshipmen maintain their momentum. His development gives Navy an increasingly versatile interior presence capable of contributing in the post, from the perimeter and defensively.
Navy Survives Competitive First Half
The opening 20 minutes featured nine lead changes as neither team established a comfortable advantage. Navy eventually put together an 8-0 run to build a 32-27 lead late in the half. Delaware State answered with a basket before the break, trimming the Midshipmen’s advantage to 32-29. The narrow halftime margin reflected the competitive nature of the matchup.
Navy extended its lead to 36-29 early in the second half, but Delaware State refused to disappear. The Hornets fought back to tie the game at 38 with 13:21 remaining, placing additional pressure on the home team. Sean Griffin responded with a critical three-pointer to break the tie and later added another shot from long distance. Those baskets helped fuel a 13-5 Navy run that created a 51-43 advantage with nine minutes remaining.
Midshipmen Finish Strong
Delaware State continued battling and reduced the deficit to 53-50 with slightly more than seven minutes remaining. Navy experienced several empty possessions during the stretch, but its defensive effort prevented the Hornets from taking advantage. Burnett’s offensive rebounding and timely scoring helped restore breathing room. Jerry Ashley Jr. then contributed an important jumper that pushed Navy’s lead to 58-52 with 3:30 remaining.
Pennick took control during the closing minutes, scoring five straight points to push the advantage into double digits. Navy ultimately finished with nine three-pointers compared with Delaware State’s five. The Midshipmen also benefited from a significant difference at the foul line, converting 19 free throws while the Hornets made nine. Although Navy shot just 19-for-34 from the stripe, those additional opportunities played a major role in determining the outcome.
Ashley Provides Valuable Supporting Offense
Jerry Ashley Jr. supplied another encouraging development for Navy, finishing with 12 points on five-of-seven shooting. His performance represented a significant step forward after he scored only 10 points throughout the previous season. Ashley’s efficient offensive production helped complement Pennick and Burnett, giving the Midshipmen three double-digit scorers. His emergence could become increasingly important as Navy builds depth during the nonconference schedule.
For Delaware State, Nehemiah Reedus led the Hornets with 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Nasir Muhammad added 16 points, six assists and four steals, while Joshua Obiora contributed nine points. The Hornets entered the contest following an 86-52 season-opening victory over Saint Vincent. Thursday’s defeat dropped Delaware State to 1-1.
Navy Responds to Difficult Season Opener
The victory carried additional significance following Navy’s 91-39 loss to George Washington on November 2. Head coach Jon Perry emphasized the importance of learning from that performance and responding through improved preparation. Navy showed greater offensive balance against Delaware State and demonstrated the ability to execute during critical possessions. The result offered an early indication that the Midshipmen could respond positively to adversity.
The program entered the season following a successful 2025-26 campaign that included 26 victories, a Patriot League regular-season championship and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. Navy finished 17-1 in conference play last season, establishing considerable expectations for Perry’s program. Although the roster must continue developing its chemistry, the victory against Delaware State provided an important first step. Maintaining that progress will be essential as the Midshipmen prepare for another demanding Patriot League schedule.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Navy’s victory over Delaware State demonstrated why Jordan Pennick and David Burnett could become two of the team’s most important players this season. Pennick’s scoring ability provides the Midshipmen with a reliable offensive weapon, while Burnett’s rebounding and defensive contributions create opportunities throughout the lineup. The combination gives Navy a foundation to build around as the season progresses. Ashley’s encouraging performance adds another potential contributor to the rotation.
The Midshipmen still have areas that require improvement, particularly their free-throw shooting and ability to avoid extended offensive droughts. Missing 15 free throws could prove costly against stronger opponents, especially during tightly contested Patriot League games. Nevertheless, Navy responded to its season-opening disappointment with a determined performance in front of its home crowd. The Midshipmen showed resilience, received contributions from multiple players and secured a victory that could help establish confidence moving forward.
Navy’s next scheduled game following the Delaware State victory was a November 8 home matchup against Central Penn College at Alumni Hall.
