DELAWARE, Ohio -- The Gators rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit to hold a lead seven minutes into the second half, but were unable to maintain the advantage in a 77-71 defeat at Ohio Wesleyan in the 2018-19 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener for both teams.

The loss drops the Allegheny men's basketball team to 4-2 overall this season and 0-1 in the NCAC. The Bishops hold an identical 4-2 record, but move to 1-0 in league action.

Allegheny started slow through the opening 20 minutes and fell behind by a 35-24 margin, hitting on just 25.6 percent (11-of-43) shots from the field in the first half and making just one three-pointer (1-of-14).

The Gators came out of the gate strong in the second half, however, using a 23-10 run over the first 6:41 of the second half to take their only lead of the day, 47-45, with 13:19 left in regulation. During the stretch, Lamar Todd scored seven points, including the final five of the stretch to give Allegheny the lead. Zach Ecker put in the first six points for the Gators in the half.

OWU responded with points on its next three possessions, including a layup to tie the game and a triple to give the hosts the lead back for good at 50-47. The hosts worked the lead to as many as 11 points from that moment, but the Gators put together a late run to get within three points, 74-71, at the 1:46 mark on a dunk by Ecker which followed a Todd triple at 2:31. The final three points were scored at the charity stripe by the Bishops, and Allegheny missed three triples in the same time frame to fall on the road against the reigning conference runner-up.

Allegheny knocked down 44.2 percent (19-of-43) from the field in the second half, including five shots from long range. Todd's 13 points in the second half were one off the game lead. The sophomore's 18 total points represented the 10th time he's reached double digits and was the second-highest output in his time at Allegheny. He also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, not only representing a career high, but his first double-double. Behind a trio of three-pointers, Billy Urso finished second on the team with 11 points, and Ecker chipped in 10 points. Brian Roberts, Jr. and Jordan Rawls both scored nine points, with Rawls' nine rebounds finishing second on the team.

The Gators return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 5 with a 7 p.m. tip-off at No. 16 Wooster as NCAC play continues.