MEADVILLE, Pa.— The Allegheny College men's basketball team played a back-and-forth contest Saturday (Nov. 24) against Penn State Behrend which came down to the last shot, but the Gators ultimately fell 80-77 in nonconference play.
The teams got out to a fast start as they found themselves tied at seven. A
Brian Roberts, Jr. three gave the Gators a 10-7 edge a little more than four minutes in. After a Lion basket,
Lamar Todd and
Jordan Rawls hit shots for the Gators as their lead grew to 14-9. After Behrend cut the deficit to 16-12, Todd hit a three to give the Gators a seven point lead.
After a Behrend basket, the Gators rattled off a quick 7-0 run to take a 26-12 lead with just under 11 minutes to play in the half. The Lions responded by slowly chipping away at the Allegheny advantage, until the found themselves down three, 30-27, with five minutes left in the half. The Gators pushed the lead back to six after a quick three points from
Zach Ecker, but Behrend tied the game at 33 with two minutes to go. A pair of
Jordan Greynolds free-throws and a Todd lay-up made it 37-33, but the Lions added three points late as the Gators took a 37-36 lead into the half.
Rawls led the Gators with 10 points in the opening half. Todd had seven points with a team-high five rebounds, while Roberts, Jr. also added seven points. The Gators shot 55.6% (15-of-27) from the field in the half, including four-of-eight from three.
Ecker started the second half with a quick basket, but the Lions would tie the game at 41 after a three. They then scored five straight points to take the lead, but a Todd three followed by a Rawls lay-up tied the game back up at 46.
Tied at 46, Behrend went on a 17-6 run to take a ten point lead, 63-52, with 11 minutes remaining. The back-and-forth play continued as the Gators answered with a 7-0 run, capped off by a Greynolds three, to make it 63-59 with eight minutes to play.
With just over five minutes to play, the Gators pulled within one at 67-66 following a Roberts, Jr. free-throw. After a timeout, the Lions scored seven straight point to rebuild their lead to 74-66.
Rawls hit a lay-up, followed by a three to cut the gap to 74-71 with 2:22 to go. After a missed shot by Behrend, Roberts scored on a drive to bring the lead back down to one once more.
Behrend went to the free-throw line with under a minute to play, hitting both attempt to make it 78-75.
Caden Hinckley was fouled on the next Gator trip down the floor. He hit the first, but missed the second, though he came down with the offensive board. The ball got worked around to Roberts, Jr. who drained a three to make it 78-77 with 28 seconds left.
Once again, the Gators fouled the Lions to send them to the line. They missed the shot, which was rebounded by Rawls. With seconds left, Roberts, Jr. drove into the lane but was unable to make a tough shot. Behrend rebounded the ball, and were immediately fouled. They hit both attempts to make it 80-77. The Gators had one last chance but were unable to produce a shot as Behrend collected the three point win.
Roberts, Jr. led the way for Allegheny with 18 points. Rawls netted 17 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Greynolds went for 11 points off the bench, while Todd finished with 10 points, six rebounds.
Billy Urso and Nojon Kirkman shared the team-lead with seven rebounds.
For the game, the Gators shot 47.7% (31-of-65), including 41.7% (10-of-24) from three. Behrend owned a slight advantage in rebounds 35-32. Of the Gators 32 rebounds, 11 were on the offensive side.
Behrend was led by Mike Fischer's 20 points and eight rebounds.
The Gators are back at home Wednesday (Nov. 28) when they host Carnegie Mellon University at 7 p.m.
