MEADVILLE, Pa. – The David V. Wise Center had a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) playoff atmosphere to it this afternoon between the Allegheny College women's basketball team and Denison University, and the play matched the feel with a back-and-forth contest going the way of the Big Red, 55-52.
Allegheny (13-12, 8-8 NCAC) took everything NCAC-leading Denison threw at it, keeping pace with the visitors by forcing 29 turnovers. Four of the Gators' seniors (
Rachel Vigliotti,
Jessica Mrdjenovich,
Emma Pellicano, and
Ifeyinwa Uwazie) tallied multiple steals, with Vigliotti's four pickpockets leading the way. The fifth of the senior quintet, forward
Kaitlyn Fromknecht, did her part defensively as well with three blocks.
Mrdjenovich's 11 points paced Allegheny while Fromknecht (10) and freshman guard
Delaney Arbore (10) also registered double-figures in scoring. The Gators shot 73.7 percent (14-19) from the chalk with freshman guard
Candaisy Crawford's 6-for-6 performance leading the way.
The hosts jumped out to a 5-0 lead with jumpers from Fromknecht and Pellicano as well as a foul shot from the latter. The Big Red picked up three of the next four buckets before Arbore checked into the game with a layup on the fastbreak and a trifecta. Allegheny's advantage reached eight with 3:09 left in the quarter when Mrdjenovich scored three the old-fashioned way, but Denison was able to tally seven of the final 11 points to make it 23-18 Gators after one.
The second frame didn't see as many made baskets as the teams combined for 17 points. The Big Red took its first lead with 4:37 remaining in the half courtesy of a fastbreak layup from Akilah Fletcher, but it was matched by an Arbore basket. After Denison split a pair of freebies, Mrdjenovich buried a shot from international waters to put Allegheny back out in front at 30-28.
The lead traded hands four different times in the third stanza before a five-point stretch in favor of the visitors made it 42-36. The Gators could only chip away at that advantage with a single free-throw before the close of the quarter as both defenses managed to hold their opponent scoreless for the final 1:32.
Two free-throws from Fletcher pushed the Big Red's advantage to seven, but it was met with two Fromknecht jumpers and a bucket off the glass from Vigliotti. Another Fromknecht basket was sandwiched between two of Denison's, which was then followed up by an Arbore free-throw and Crawford steal and score to tie it at 48-all. Vigliotti knotted it up once more at 50-50, but the Big Red responded with two baskets by Gabrielle Nottage.
Denison called a timeout with 41 seconds remaining to advance the ball, but its plan was foiled after Uwazie intercepted a pass and drove the length of the court for a layup 10 seconds later. The Big Red was able to kill 15 seconds on the next possession before shooting a pair from the charity stripe; however, the door was left open after Valesha Province could only make one of the two.
After Vilgiotti brought down the rebound from Province's misfire, a scramble on the other end kept the possession in Allegheny's favor with seven seconds left. The Gators were able to get the shot they wanted after a timeout, but Arbore's look to tie it from the right corner hit the back rim.
Denison's Jordan Holmes established a new NCAC record for career rebounds with 22 caroms this afternoon. Holmes was one of three players for the Big Red with 12 points and added seven blocks defensively.
Prior to the contest, Allegheny's senior class was recognized as a part of Senior Day festivities.
Allegheny will host Oberlin College in the NCAC Tournament quarterfinals following the Yeowomen's victory over Wittenberg University this afternoon. The Gators' first playoff game in Meadville since Feb. 19, 2013 (a 67-64 victory over Ohio Wesleyan) will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
