MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Freshman
Brock Brumfield (Medina, Ohio/Buckeye) provided a spark with 10 points off the bench in the first half to help the Gators improve to 3-0 with an 82-62 win over Waynesburg to close out the 2019 Greg Richards '08 Memorial Classic. This season is the second campaign in a row that the Gators have started 3-0.
The Yellow Jackets took the early lead as a trio of three-pointers gave them a 9-2 advantage two minutes into the game. Freshman guard
Keeno Holmes (Pittsburgh, Pa./Lincoln Park) responded with a triple of his own, assisted by
Jordan Greynolds (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton), to cut the lead to four. Less than a minute later, Greynolds sunk a three-pointer of his own to reduce the deficit to one, 9-8.Â
The Gators would tie the game, 15-15, at 11:44 remaining in the first half on a traditional three-point play by Brumfield, as he scored a layup through contact and then converted his free-throw attempt. Another two points from Brumfield off a jumper with 9:45 to go before the break gave the Gators their first lead of the game, 17-15. A 22-10 run by the Gators, sparked by six points from Holmes, five by Brumfield and four from
Jordan Rawls (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice), put the score at 39-25 heading into the locker rooms.
Waynesburg got as close as 11 (58-47) at 9:47 remaining in the second half, but that was promptly followed by a 9-0 Allegheny run, seven points of which were scored by Holmes.
Holmes led the offense with 22 points, including a team-high five three-pointers (5-of-8) and five points from the charity stripe (5-of-6). Rawls followed with 18 points on 7-of-11 from the floor and two triples. Greynolds and Brumfield both added 10 points to round out the double-digit scorers for the Gators.
Caden Hinckley (Boise, Idaho/Mount Lebanon (Pa.)) controlled the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds (including 12 in the first half), his second double-digit showing of the year.
Nijon Kirkman (Cleveland, Ohio/John Hay) reigned in six rebounds to add to his eight points, one block and a steal. Rawls spearheaded the defense with four steals, and Greynolds added three more, while Holmes stole a pair to give Allegheny the advantage with 10, compared to seven from Waynesburg.
The Gators are back in action on as they travel to Penn State Behrend on Wednesday (Nov. 20) for a nonconference matchup slated for 7:00 p.m.
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