GREENCASTLE, Ind.—The Allegheny College men's basketball team wrapped up the 2018 portion of their schedule Friday (Dec. 21) afternoon, falling at DePauw University 91-77 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play.
The Tigers jumped out to a four-point lead early on, but a
Jordan Rawls three, followed by a
Caden Hinckley lay-up put the Gators in front. The teams continued to trade baskets until the Tigers went on a 7-2 run to take a 14-9 lead midway through the opening frame. Once again, the Gators fought back as a
Liam Wilby steal led to a
Jordan Greynolds dunk to cap off a 6-2 burst. However, DePauw picked it up late in the half as they led by as much as 13, owning a 39-26 lead at the break.
Zach Ecker led the Gators with seven points and three rebounds in the half. Hinckley added six points and three rebounds.
Lamar Todd and Greynolds had four points apiece.
The Gators came out of the locker room motivated, going on a 9-1 lead in the opening two minutes of the second half to drop the Tiger lead to 40-35. After a media timeout, a
Brian Roberts, Jr. lay-up brought the lead down to three. The Tigers scored two straight baskets but
Billy Urso three brought down to four once again.
After some back-and-forth action, DePauw rattled off seven straight points to increase their lead to 54-43. Ecker knocked down a three to halt the DePauw run, followed by a Hinckley basket to make it a six-point game. After the Tigers grew their lead to 60-48, Roberts, Jr. hit a pair of threes to drop the lead to 60-54. However, the Tigers once again rattled off a big run, taking a 13-point lead at 71-58. A Rawls three made put the Gators within ten points, but the Tigers pushed their lead back up to 15, 77-62, with five minutes to play.
The Gators pulled within striking distance down the stretch, but DePauw was true from the free-throw line as they held on for the conference win.
Hinckley led the Gators with 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Roberts, Jr. also finished with 16 points to go with five assists and three steals. Ecker went for 15 points and three rebounds. Rawls was the fourth Gator in double digits, accounting for 11 points.
DePauw was led by 16 points by Ken Decker.
The Gators are off until the new year, as they travel to Kenyon College on Jan. 5.
