HAMBURG, N.Y. -- The Allegheny College men's basketball team kicked off competition at the Hawks Against Hunger Tip-off Tournament, hosted by Hilbert College against Lancaster Bible Friday (Nov. 10), falling to the Chargers in an overtime battle, 118-110.

Allegheny got out to a fast start, taking a 6-1 lead in the first two minutes with three different players putting up points. However, the Chargers slowly chipped away at the advantage, using a 6-0 run to eventually take a 15-11 lead. That lead grew to 36-28 before the Gators went on a big run. In just over a minute, the Gators rattled off 10 straight points to move ahead. Luke Barker (New Castle, Pa./Struthers (Ohio)) and Jayson Perry (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) hit threes during the run. After trading points, the Gators ended the half on a 6-0 run to take a 50-43 lead into the locker room.

Andre Wilder (Beaver Falls, Pa./Lincoln Park) dropped 17 points in the first half to lead the Gators. Barker finished the half with nine points, while Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) chipped in eight. The Gators shot 48.3% in the opening half.

The Chargers closed the gap early in the second half, bringing the score within two at 56-54. The Gators would answer with five quick points, including a traditional three-point play by Lang. However, Lancaster Bible answered with their own run to tie the game at 63. The back-and-forth continued as the Gators scored the next six points to take the lead back.

Midway through the half, the Chargers regained the advantage as the teams continued to trade leads until the end. 

Lancaster Bible held a 97-94 lead entering the final minute. A Barker lay-up brought it within one, but the Chargers answered with their own. Wilder made it a one-point game with 16 seconds to play. After a foul, the Chargers converted one of two free throws to lead 100-98. Under 10 seconds to play, Lang was fouled and sent to the line. The sophomore converted both attempts to tie the game at 100. Lancaster Bible missed a three at the end, sending the game into overtime.

The teams remained even in the extra session, quickly answering each made basket. The score remained deadlocked until the final 45 seconds when the Chargers outpaced the Gators 8-0 to clinch the victory.

Inside the Box

• Wilder led the Gators with 39 points, a career-high. He also pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double while assisting on three more baskets.
• Lang finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
• Barker was the third Gator with over 20 points, rallying 21 with five rebounds and assists.
• Mike Noonan (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) recorded eight points, while Perry had seven.
• The Gators won the battle of the boards, 46-39.
• Allegheny shot 52.2% for the game.

News and Notes

• Friday's matchup marked the first between the two programs.
• 228 combined points are the second-most in a game in Allegheny history.
• 110 points are the most for the Gators in a game since beating Waynesburg University, 111-62, on Senior Day last season.
• Wilder's career-high 39 points are tied for the fifth-most in a game for a Gator.
• Lancaster Bible made it to the second round of the Division III National Tournament last season.

Up Next
The Gators will play host Hilbert on Saturday, November 11, at 1:00 p.m.