The Navy Midshipmen saw one of the best seasons in program history come to an abrupt end after a dramatic and controversial finish in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. A buzzer-beater by Boston University secured a 73-72 victory and knocked Navy out of contention for the conference title, but the final seconds of the game left fans and analysts debating whether the play should have counted at all.
According to BroBible, Navy entered the Patriot League Tournament with plenty of momentum. The Midshipmen had dominated conference competition during the regular season, finishing with a 17-1 league record and earning the top seed in the tournament bracket. Their overall record stood at 26-6 before the postseason began, making it one of the most successful seasons the program has experienced in decades.
Because they held the top seed, Navy skipped the first round and began tournament play in the quarterfinals. They advanced past Bucknell to reach the semifinals, where Boston University stood between them and a spot in the championship game. The stakes were high. For Patriot League teams, winning the conference tournament is essentially the only path to the NCAA Tournament.
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Navy Were Disappointed
Early in the matchup, Navy appeared to be in control. The Midshipmen jumped out to a quick 14-5 lead in the opening minutes. Boston University slowly worked its way back into the game, however, eventually taking a slim lead into halftime. From there, the second half turned into a tense back-and-forth contest that neither side could fully take over.
Navy managed to regain momentum midway through the final period and even built a lead of six points at one stage. Still, Boston University continued to respond each time the Midshipmen tried to pull away. As the clock ticked down in the closing seconds, the score remained tight.
With less than ten seconds remaining and the score tied at 70, Navy executed a quick possession that appeared to put them in position to win. The Midshipmen pushed the ball up the floor and finished with a layup that gave them a 72-70 lead with just 3.6 seconds left on the clock. At that moment, it looked like Navy had done enough to secure a trip to the Patriot League championship game.
Boston University had one last chance. The Terriers inbounded the ball to guard Chance Gladden, who immediately began racing up the court. After crossing midcourt, he launched a deep shot from near the logo just as the buzzer sounded. The ball went in, giving Boston a stunning 73-72 victory and sending the Terriers into the conference championship game.
What happened next sparked debate. Viewers quickly noticed that the game clock did not appear to start when Gladden first touched the inbound pass. Instead, it seemed to begin running only after he had already advanced several steps up the floor. That delay raised questions about whether the play lasted longer than the remaining 3.6 seconds on the clock.
The shot itself likely took somewhere between three and four seconds from the moment Gladden received the ball to the moment he released it. Some observers believe it might have still beaten the buzzer if the clock had started correctly. Others argue the delayed start may have given Boston just enough extra time to complete the play.
Officials reviewed the sequence after the shot, but there was little they could do to change the outcome of the made basket. Without the ability to reset the play or recreate the moment with a correctly running clock, the referees allowed the shot to stand. In an unusual twist, they also added a small amount of time back onto the clock for Navy’s final attempt, though the Midshipmen were unable to score before time expired.
The loss carried major consequences for Navy. Despite a season that included 26 victories and a dominant conference record, the Midshipmen likely needed to win the Patriot League Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament. With their elimination in the semifinals, their hopes of playing in March Madness appear to be over.
Instead of celebrating a championship opportunity, Navy is left to reflect on what might have been. The controversial ending will remain a talking point among fans, especially considering how close the program came to extending one of its most successful seasons in decades. Meanwhile, Boston University moves forward with a chance to win the Patriot League title and secure the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Published: Mar 9, 2026 02:20 pm