MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny men's basketball team fell at home Saturday (Feb. 4) to Saint Vincent 79-69 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play.
 
The Bearcats gained an early 11-4 lead, but a 9-0 Gator run quickly erased the deficit and gave them a 13-11 advantage. From there, it went back-and-forth as the opening half featured six ties and six lead changes. Neither side led by more than seven as Saint Vincent owned a small 41-38 edge going into halftime.
 
Caden Hinckley (Boise, Idaho/Mount Lebanon (Pa.)) and Preston Turk (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) had 10 points apiece to lead the Gators in the first half. Luke Barker (New Castle, Pa./Struthers (Ohio)) added nine points. Andre Wilder (Beaver Falls, Pa./Lincoln Park) and Hinckley each grabbed six rebounds as the team had a small 17-16 advantage in that category.
 
The Saint Vincent lead grew early in the second half to 13, 59-46. A quick 5-0 solo run by Barker brought about a Saint Vincent timeout. After the Gators brought the game within six points, 59-53, the Bearcats started to grow their lead once more. That lead reached as much as 14 but Allegheny still kept it close down the stretch. With under a minute to go, a pair of free-throws by Barker brought the score to 75-69. However, the Bearcats converted all four of their attempts from the charity stripe while holding the Gators off the board to seal the win.
 
Inside the Box

• Barker led the team with 19 points. He also contributed three assists and a pair of rebounds.
• Wilder finished with an 18 point, 12 rebound double-double. He went three-of-six from three-point range.
• Hinckley also produced a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. In addition to the double-double, he blocked four shots.
• Turk ended with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
• The Gators had 12 offensive rebounds.
• The loss marked the first at home for the Gators this season.

Up Next
Allegheny is back in action Wednesday (Feb. 8) when they host PAC foe Chatham at 7 pm.