ALLIANCE, Ohio—The Allegheny College women's basketball team was unable to overcome a big second half by the University of Mount Union as the Gators fell 97-79 in their 2016-17 season debut.
 
The Gators got on the board right away as Amanda Beebe nailed a three-pointer just seven seconds into the game.  After the Raiders tied it, Candaisy Crawford hit the Gator's second three to regain the lead.  Once again, the Raiders hit their own three but a Sadie Longo lay-up sparked a 7-0 run for the Gators as they gained control, 13-6.
 
The Raiders slowly closed the gap as they brought the game within two, 15-13, with less than five minutes to play in the opening quarter.   The Gators responded with their second 7-0 run of the quarter to regain control.  In the final minute, Crawford hit her second three to give the Gators a 27-20 lead heading into the second.
 
Mount Union chipped away at the Gator advantage early in the second half, bringing the game within one, 29-28.  The Gators gained some breathing room when Crawford hit her third three of the game.  However, the Raiders matched the shot on their end to keep the game close.
 
With less than five minutes to play in the opening half, the Raiders gained the lead for the first time, 34-33.  Delaney Arbore hit a three to put the Gators back ahead.  The lead was short lived as the Raiders went on an 8-0 run to take a 43-38.  The Raiders hit a pair of threes in the final thirty seconds of the half to take a 55-46 lead into the locker room.
 
Crawford led the Gators with 15 points in the first half on six-of-eight shooting.  Longo had seven points on three-of-three shooting while Michaela Contestabile had six points and three rebounds.
 
The Raiders scored the opening six points of the second half as their lead grew to 15. The Gators cut the lead to 11 midway through the quarter but the Raiders lead grew to as much as 21 in the third as they led 81-62 heading into the fourth.
 
The Gators outscored the Raiders 17-15 in the fourth but it was not enough to overcome the Raider advantage.
 
Crawford ended the game with 17 points on seven-of-12 shooting, including trio of three pointers, to go with three assists. Longo was a perfect five-of-five from the field as she finished with 12 points and four rebounds. Contestabile was also in double digits with 11 points, hitting five-of-seven shots and grabbing four rebounds. Zoe Soilis led the team with seven rebounds to go with seven points.
 
Overall, the Gators hit 31-of-73 shots (42.5%), including 10-of-31 three pointers (32.3%).  From the free-throw line, the Gators converted seven-of-nine (77.8%).  The Gators committed 13 turnovers to the Raiders 16.  The Raiders won the rebounding battle 58-36.
 
The Gators make their home debut Friday (Nov. 18) against Adrian College on the first day of the Greg Richards '08 Memorial Tip-Off.