By Adam Cohen, Athletic Communications Assistant

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The men's basketball team was defeated, 78-64, on Saturday (Jan. 29) in a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) match-up against Ohio Wesleyan. Snapping a two-game win streak at home, the Gators fall to 6-9, 4-5 NCAC. 

A back-and-forth start to the game saw the two teams trade basket for basket. However, after Allegheny tied up the game 19-19, Ohio Wesleyan went on an 11-0 run. The Gators then fought back to bring the deficit down to seven, but trailed, 41-34, to end the half. 

Caden Hinckley (Boise, Idaho/Mount Lebanon (Pa.)) supplied the offense for the first 20 minutes of the contest. The junior forward banked in 14 of his 16 points during that frame. Meanwhile, coming out of the break, Brian Roberts, Jr. (Copley, Ohio/Copley) propelled the Gators with seven points within the first five minutes. Behind 48-46, Luke Barker drove in a layup to tie up the game, before Roberts, Jr. picked up five consecutive points to give Allegheny its largest lead of the game.

Yet, missed shots and two Allegheny turnovers allowed Ohio Wesleyan to be ahead 64-57. After Roberts, Jr. notched his fourth personal foul, he was taken out of the game to avoid fouling out. Despite him re-entering towards the end of the game, Ohio Wesleyan separated themselves from the Gators to come away with the victory.

Leading all Gator scorers, Roberts, Jr. had 21 points, whereas Hinckley and Jordan Greynolds (Barberton, Ohio/Barberton) also reached double digits, with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Hinckley earned a double-double with 12 rebounds and contributed three blocks. Andre Wilder (Beaver Falls, Pa./Lincoln Park) also reached double figures with 11 boards while Greynolds nearly missed out on a double-double with nine off the glass.

After playing five games in the last two weeks, Allegheny will not return to action until Friday, Feb. 4 at Wabash where tip-off will begin at 6 p.m.