Box Score

GRANVILLE, Ohio – The Allegheny women's basketball team traveled to the campus of Denison Saturday afternoon, to take on the defending conference champions in a battle of two of the top teams in the NCAC. It was a back and forth affair, and in a game that saw ten ties and six lead changes, Allegheny would prevail 56-53 for their first victory over the Big Red since the 2007-08 season.

The first half started with Allegheny scoring four of the first six points, but the home team would quickly answer, going on a 13-2 to take an early nine point lead. Little did either team know, that would be the largest spread of the game as the Gators would slowly climb back into the contest. A 7-0 run towards the end of the first half, capped off by an Erica Restich three pointer would knot it up at 19, with 5:31 remaining in the opening frame.

Allegheny would take the lead on two separate occasions in the final minutes of the half, both on a pair of junior Daryl Ford free throws; however, the lead was short lived. In a low scoring first half, the teams would go into the locker room tied at 28. The Gators put together a very solid half of play, shooting 41.7 percent from the field while holding the Big Red to just 36.4 percent.

The second half continued on the same track of the first, as both teams fought tooth and nail to hold on to their slim leads. Allegheny would show an impressive amount of resiliency, as every time Denison looked to take control the Gators would strike back. Allegheny wouldn't allow the Big Red to get more than a three point lead in the second half, as Allegheny would continue to knock down shots and play solid defense.

The score was tied with just 4:17 remaining in regulation, when Restich again hit a dagger from the outside to give the Gators a three point lead. After a pair of free throws cut the lead down to one, Restich again hit a three to give Allegheny their largest lead of the game.

Restich was clutch for Allegheny down the stretch, knocking down four huge shots from beyond the arc, and knocking down a pair of free throws late, along with Ford, to shut the door on the defending conference champions.

Ford, Restich and junior Heidi Goeller would all end the game in double-digits, combining for 47 of Allegheny's 56 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Gators for their seventh conference win of the season. Allegheny is no 12-5 overall, and 7-1 in conference play, as they solidify themselves as one of the top teams in the NCAC.

The Gators will be back in action on Wednesday, January 25 when they will host Hiram College on Faculty Appreciation Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.