<p>NAVY (11-7 / 1-2) at HOLY CROSS (12-6 / 3-0)
January 17, 2007 ? 7:00 pm (EST)
Hart Center (3,600) ? Worcester, Mass.
VIDEO STREAMING: <a href=“http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D”>www.navysports.com</a> (Navy All-Access Users), <a href=“http://www.patriotleague.com%5B/url%5D”>www.patriotleague.com</a> (Patriot League All-Access Users)
RADIO: WNAV (1430 AM)
INTERNET: <a href=“http://www.wnav.com%5B/url%5D”>www.wnav.com</a>, <a href=“http://www.yahoosports.com%5B/url%5D”>www.yahoosports.com</a></p>
<p>Tipping It Off
Navy will kick off a three-game Patriot League roadswing at league leader Holy Cross on Wednesday night, starting at 7:00 pm (EST) from the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass. The Mids enter the contest with an 11-7 overall record (1-2 PL) after Saturday’s impressive 60-44 win over Lafayette. The Crusaders are 12-6 overall (3-0 PL) after snapping Bucknell’s 23-game league winning streak last Friday night. The game will be broadcast on the airwaves on WNAV (1430 AM) with Bob Socci calling all the action. The game will also be streamed online for All-Access users at <a href=“http://www.patriotleague.com%5B/url%5D”>www.patriotleague.com</a>.</p>
<p>On This Date in Navy History
January 17th - Navy is 17-10 all-time on January 17, including 2-0 against Holy Cross. Including this year’s game, the Mids will have played on January 17th four straight years. Navy won last year on the date, 71-65, over Longwood. Corey Johnson averages 15.0 ppg, while Greg Sprink tallies a 14.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg average on the date.</p>
<p>Series History
? Holy Cross leads the series between the two teams, 27-14, including a 13-5 advantage in Worcester.
? Holy Cross has won 15 meetings in a row against the Midshipmen, dating back to the 2000-01 season. Just four of the games have been decided by single-digits. The average margin of victory for the Crusaders during that span is 15.9 ppg.
? The two teams have combined for 16 Patriot League titles (Navy: 5 reg. season, 3 tournament; Holy Cross: 4 reg. season, 4 tournament). The two teams are the most successful teams in Patriot League history.</p>
<p>About Holy Cross
Holy Cross enters Wednesday’s with a 12-6 overall record and a league-leading 3-0 mark in the Patriot League. The Crusaders opened the year with a 6-1 record, but then lost five of their next six games (to the likes of Dayton, Duke and Providence) to fall to 7-6 overall. However, Holy Cross has since won five games in a row, snapping Bucknell’s 23-game Patriot League winning streak in the process.</p>
<p>Holy Cross’ strength is definitely in its starting lineup. The Crusaders boast three starters in double figures and four of the five average at least 27.5 mpg. Torey Thomas leads the league, averaging an amazing 37.6 mpg, good for 10th in the country in percentage of minutes played.</p>
<p>Leading the charge is senior Keith Simmons. Simmons, the early favorite for the Patriot League MVP award, averages 18.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.4 spg, while shooting almost 50 percent from the field. He has led the team in scoring 11 times this year, including six straight games. He is aided by guard Torey Thomas (12.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.4 rpg) and Tim Clifford (10.2 ppg, 4.0 ppg, 1.7 bpg).</p>
<p>As a team, Holy Cross is averaging 63.7 ppg, including 71.7 ppg in its three conference outings. The Crusaders are shooting .435 from the field, .380 from three-point range and .711 from the free throw line. Defensively, Holy Cross is allowing just 58.7 ppg in three league games.</p>
<p>Lafayette Leftovers
Navy jumped out to a 16-3 lead just 10 minutes into the game and Lafayette wasn’t able to cut the lead to single digits in the last 30 minutes of the contest as Navy scored a 60-44 decision over the Leopards on Sunday, giving the Mids their first league win of the year.
? Navy has now surpassed its win total of the previous two years. The Mids are 11-7 in 2006-07. The 2004-05 and 2005-06 teams won 10 games each.
? Navy has now won all three games at Alumni Hall against Lafayette in the Billy Lange era. The Mids have won by 19, 20 and 16 points, respectively. The three totals are the three largest against a Patriot League opponent under Lange.
? Navy has now held 11-of-18 foes to 65 points or less, including four opponents to 47 points or less.
? The Mids are allowing just 58.0 ppg in Patriot League play.
? Sprink has scored in double figures 48 times in his career and 15 times this year. The Mids are 11-4 when Sprink scores in double figures this year.
? The 44 points scored by Lafayette are the fewest for a Patriot League foe since Army scored 37 on Feb. 28, 2004.
? Lafayette entered the game as the top-scoring team in the Patriot League at 67.4 ppg, and was shooting 45.6 percent. The Leopards scored just 44 points and shot 30.8 percent.
? Navy avoided an 0-3 start in Patriot League play for the second straight year.
? Navy is now 8-1 when holding foes to shoot 40 percent or lower.</p>