BETHANY, W. Va. – The Allegheny men's basketball team was unable to overcome a fast start by Bethany, falling to the Bison 99-83 on the road Wednesday (Jan. 17) in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action.
 
The Bison got out to a quick start, scoring the first eight points before Isaiah Portis (Medina, Ohio/Norwayne) got the Gators on the board. The early momentum gained from that start carried throughout the opening half for Bethany as they led by as much as 24. In the final minutes of the half, the Gators made a run as a Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) buzzer beater three cut the deficit to 53-40 at the halftime break.
 
Luke Barker (New Castle, Pa./Struthers (Ohio)) and Porter led the Gators with seven points in the first half while Zion Barksdale (Meadville, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Mike Noonan (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) had six apiece. 
 
Similar to the first half, Bethany started the second half on a big run to reestablish control. While the Gators went on a few runs in the half, including one late, they were not able to overcome the Bisons' advantage as they fell in PAC play.
 
Inside the Box

• Portis led the Gators with a season-high 16 points while also collecting a pair of rebounds.
• Barker netted 14 points to go alongside six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• James Sitter (Erie, Pa./Fairview) finished the night with 12 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
• Lang was the fourth Gator in double-figures, scoring 11 points with four assists and three rebounds.
• Noonan ended the game with six points and seven rebounds.
• Barksdale recorded six points and six rebounds. 
• Tanner Miller (Elkins, W. Va./Elkins) had a season best four points while Jayson Perry (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) also contributed four points and three steals. 

News and Notes

• The Gators are now 43-37 all-time against Bethany. 

Up Next
The Gators return to action next Wednesday (Jan. 24) at home against Thiel.