MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny men's basketball team dropped a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contest to Franciscan, 81-66, on Senior Day in Meadville Saturday (Feb. 14).
 
Prior to the game, the Gators honored their three seniors: Isaiah Portis (Medina, Ohio/Norwayne), Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) and James Sitter (Erie, Pa./Fairview).
 
The Gators got out to a fast start, opening the game with a 10-5 lead while making five of their first seven shots. After the media timeout, the Barons responded with a 10-0 run to take a five point lead. The Gators battled back, tying it at 20 on a Lang three with under 10 minutes remaining in the half. After forcing a turnover, Lincoln Brockmeyer (Akron, Ohio/Copley) hit a three to put Allegheny back in front. 
 
The back-and-forth half continued as Franciscan rattled off a 10-2 run to take a 30-25 lead. In the final minutes, the Gators started to chip away at the lead as a last second Eli Teslovich (Belle Vernon, Pa./Shady Side Academy) layup dropped the deficit to 36-34 entering halftime.
 
The Barons went on an 8-0 run a few minutes into the second half to push their lead to 46-36. The lead remained in double figures until a pair of free-throws by Pijus Latauskas (Vilnius, Lithuania/Kiski Prep (Pa.)) made it an eight point game midway through the half. 
 
Franciscan started to pull away minutes later as they went on a 9-1 run. The Gators continued to battle but were unable to overcome the deficit as they fell in PAC action.
 
Inside the Box

• Lang led the team with 17 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists.
• Sitter finished with 12 points on four made three pointers.
• Latauskis was in double digits with 11 points to go with five rebounds.
• Jayson Perry (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) and Teslovich had 10 points apiece.
• Portis shared the team lead with seven rebounds. 

News and Notes

• Allegheny is now 4-3 all-time against Franciscan. 

Up Next
The Gators play their final regular season home game Wednesday (Feb. 18) against Thiel.