GROVE CITY, Pa. -- In the final game of 2024 on Monday afternoon, the Allegheny College men's basketball team was defeated on the road by Grove City College by a 65-38 final score.

Returning to the court for the first time in 10 days following an extended winter break, the Gator (3-8, 1-5 PAC) offense couldn't shake off the rust. Turnovers were not an issue, as Allegheny committed just under its season average with 12 turnovers. However, the Gators shot 25.0% (13-of-52) from the floor and made only four first-half field goals. On the other hand, Grove City (8-3, 5-1) had a 39.7 field-goal percentage (27-of-68) despite being held to its third-lowest scoring output of the season.

Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) opened the contest with a 3-pointer to give the Gators the game's first lead, but the Wolverines took a 32-13 advantage into the locker room. Allegheny was much better in the second half, nearly doubling its shooting rate and point total in the final 20 minutes. Grove City only outscored the Gators by eight in the second half, 33-25, but the slow start was too much to overcome.

Inside the Box Score

• Allegheny shot 25.0% overall but was better in the second half, making 9-of-28 (32.1%) attempts.
• Grove City made 27-of-68 shots for a 39.7 field-goal percentage.
• The Gators earned more trips to the foul line and finished 7-of-11 (63.6%) from the charity stripe.
• The Wolverines crashed the glass effectively and outrebounded the Gators, 53-to-29.
• Lang led all scorers with a game-high 14 points on 5-of-8 (62.5%) shooting.
• Luke Barker (New Castle, Pa./Struthers (Ohio)) added nine points, two rebounds, and two assists.
• James Sitter (Erie, Pa./Fairview) had a team-high five rebounds along with five points.
• Isaiah Portis (Medina, Ohio/Norwayne) earned all three of Allegheny's steals on the defensive end of the court.
• Jonah Bock and Isaac Cherry led the Wolverines with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

News and Notes

• Lang scored double-digit points for the seventh time in 11 games this season.
• Barker made multiple 3-point shots for the sixth time this season.
• Portis' three steals are one shy of his single-game season-high.
• Freshman guard Devon Lewis (Fort Wayne, Ind./Canterbury School) scored his first collegiate points in the second half of Monday's contest.
• First-year guard Caleb Akey (Gabriels, N.Y./Saranac Lake) made his season debut against the Wolverines.

Up Next
Allegheny will open the new year with a home game against Washington and Jefferson College inside the David V. Wise Center on Saturday, January 4, at 3:00 p.m.