Box Score GREENCASTLE, Ind. – Using a suffocating defense and near flawless free throw shooting, the Gators toppled DePauw 69-66 to earn their first North Coast Athletic Conference win of the season.

Facing a five point deficit at halftime, the Gators (4-16, 1-12 NCAC) out-scored the Tigers (14-6, 9-4 NCAC) 37-29 in the second frame, with Evan Schweitzer and Ryan Stanko sealing the victory with two free throws apiece over the final eight seconds of regulation.

Stanko scored a game-high 23 points in just 21 minutes of action to lead the Gators, who saw eight different players reach the scoresheet.  The senior was one of three teammates in double figures, as Josh Valentic scored 14 points and Evan Zabriski a career-high 10. 

The Gators' strong second half finish was made possible by their resilient effort over the first 20 minutes, as DePauw continually threatened to pull away, only to see their visitors answer back each time. 

After DePauw opened an early 10-4 lead at the 15-minute mark of the first half, the Gators countered with a 6-0 run of their own, with four points coming from Stanko, to forge the game's first tie with 13:02 left.   The teams would then trade the lead over the next several minutes, until DePauw jumped back in front in the waning minutes of the half, embarking on an 11-0 run to take a 33-21 advantage with two minutes left in the half.  Over the six-minute span, the Tigers managed just three field goals, but also made five free throws, taking advantage of early Gator foul trouble.

Allegheny then bounced back to seize the momentum heading into the locker room, quickly cutting a 10-point deficit in half over the final minute of play.  Down 37-27, D'Andre Corbin hit a jumper with 44 seconds left, before Sam Calhoun went coast to coast with a lay up, was fouled, and hit the ensuing free throw with two seconds left for the conventional three-point play, cutting the gap to 37-32 at the intermission.

The Gators stayed hot to open up the second half, which began with a conventional three-point play from Zabriski to pull the Gators to within two.  With 16:46 left, a long three from Valentic put the Gators back in front 42-41, before Schweitzer hit a pair of free throws 30 seconds later to up the lead to three. 44-41

DePauw countered with a 10-4 run over the next five minutes to go in front 51-48, until a three from Stanko and a driving lay up from Valentic put the Gators back ahead 55-53 with 9:26 remaining. 

The two teams would continue to battle blow for blow, with two ties and four lead changes over the next five minutes.  Trailing 62-59 with 3:07 left, Stanko ignited the Gators' final charge, tying the game with his third trey of the night.  A pair of free throws allowed DePauw to take a 64-62 lead with two minutes remaining, but it would be the hosts' final lead of the game.

With 1:35 left, Valentic came up with a steal at mid court, and with the shot clock winding down, Stanko drew a foul, burying the two free throws to tie the game at 64 with 1:08 remaining.  The Gator defense then forced a DePauw miss, and Stanko was then again fouled, converting one of two shots to go in front 65-64 with 30 seconds to go. 

With the shot clock off, DePauw looked to be in position to hold for the final shot, but misfired on a three from the corner with seven seconds left.  Schweitzer grabbed the rebound, was promptly fouled, and calmly sunk both free throws to give the Gators a three-point cushion.

On the ensuing possession, the Gators fouled before DePauw could attempt a shot.  After the Tigers' Michael Wilkison made both from the line to make it a one-point game, Stanko was fouled directly after receiving the in bounds pass.  The senior made both free throws to make the score 69-66, and DePauw's last second heave from midcourt went wide, closing out the thrilling Gator victory.

Over the second half, the Gators shot 53 percent from the field, while hitting 12 of 13 free throws and committing just two turnovers.  While the offense was certainly formidable, the team's defense was just as impressive, holding the Tigers to just eight second-half field goals, and none over the final 6:11 of regulation.

For the game, the Gators posted a 52 percent mark from the floor (22-for-42), including a 7-for-12 showing from behind the arc, while finishing 18-for-22 at the foul line.  Allegheny also out-rebounded DePauw 27-24, with Zabriski leading the Blue and Gold with five boards.

DePauw, which received votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, was led on the night by Tommy Furnitz, who scored 16 points, while Wilkison added 15 and Connor Rich 11.

The Gators will now face a short turnaround, as they return to action on Saturday at Wabash at 2 p.m.