NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Allegheny men's basketball team used a late run to pick up a 75-68 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) win on the road at Westminster Wednesday (Feb. 4).
 
The Gators opened the game with back-to-back threes by James Sitter (Erie, Pa./Fairview) and Max Wallace (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep). The Titans pulled within one point, 10-9, minutes later, but the Gators answered with a 6-1 run to regain control. Later in the half, Allegheny went on a 18-4 run to gain a 40-28 advantage. In the final two minutes, Westminster rattled off a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 43-39 entering the halftime break.
 
Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) and Pijus Latauskas (Vilnius, Lithuania/Kiski Prep (Pa.)) had 10 points apiece in the opening half while Wallace added five. The Gators shot 54.5% (18-of-33) from the field and made six three pointers.
 
Early in the second half, Westminster went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 47. Midway through the frame with the Gators leading 51-49, the Titans went on an 8-0 run to jump ahead. Jayson Perry (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) answered with five straight points for Allegheny. After a Titan three, Latauskis and Sitter hit back-to-back threes to put Allegheny back in front, 62-60.
 
Knotted at 62 with six minutes remaining, the Gators went on a 9-0 to gain the momentum late in the game. 
 
In the closing minutes, the Gators were efficient from the free-throw line while limiting the Titans as they picked up the PAC victory.
 
Inside the Box

• Latauskis led the team with a 16 point, 10 rebound double-double.
• Lang was second on the team with 14 points to go alongside five rebounds and five assists.
• Wallace finished with 12 points and a pair of blocks.
• Sitter also ended the game with 12 points and four rebounds.
• Perry rounded out the starters with an 11 point performance.
• Eli Teslovich (Belle Vernon, Pa./Shady Side Academy) had eight points and five rebounds.
• The Gators shot 49% (25-of-51) from the floor while sinking 11 three pointers. 

News and Notes

• A local rivalry dating back to 1898, Allegheny is now 39-55 all-time against Westminster after sweeping the regular season series.

Up Next
The Gators return to Meadville Saturday (Feb. 7) to host Chatham.