MEADVILLE, Pa. - The Allegheny women's basketball team would overcome a tough second half, and sophomore Erica Restich would hit the game winning shot with just eight seconds to go, as Allegheny would outlast Westminster College Friday night, 65-63.

The Gators would put on a clinic for much of the first half, after getting off to a slow start. Highlighted by junior Heidi Goeller, who would score 12 points on 5-8 shooting in the first half, the gators would shoot an impressive 40 percent from the field in the opening stanza. Their lead would get up to as many as 14 with 6:52 left in the half, when freshman Kendall Hoffman buried a shot from beyond the arc. Hoffman's three capped a 12-2 run that gave Allegheny its largest lead of the ball game.

The Gators lead would hover around 10 until late in the half, when the Titans would go on a small run and cut the lead to six at the break. Shortly after halftime, Allegheny looked to take control again when a pair of Goeller free throws put the Gators back up 10. However, Allegheny would soon find themselves in foul trouble, as Westminster would mount their comeback.

With Goeller out for much of the second half with four fouls, the Titans would go inside often, outscoring the Gators 18-6 in the paint during the final 20 minutes. On the other end of the floor Allegheny suddenly went cold, shooting just a hair over 29 percent from the floor and just 16.7 percent from three.

The Titans would capture their first lead of the game since 4-3 with just 3:06 left to play. Even with Allegheny's cold shooting from the floor, the Gator defense never allowed Westminster to get more than a two point lead and with one minute left, a pair of Daryl Ford free throws would tie the game for the fourth time at 63-63.

Westminster would set up their offense for a chance to take the lead with less than 35 seconds to go when Courtney Zitt laid a ball up that rimed out and fell into the arms of Danielle Gilmore. Gilmore was fouled and went to the line with a chance to put the Titans up two.

After missing the first free throw, Gilmore would miss the second; and after a mad scramble in the corner, Andi Ridge would come up with the offensive board, giving Westminster another chance at ending the game. After a timeout, the Titans in-bounded the ball with 27 seconds remaining, looking to set up their offense. That's when Emily Dolsak would lose the ball out of bounds, and give Allegheny one final shot at ending the game in regulation.

That's when Restich would go to work. She would get the inbound pass just beyond half court and drive to the left elbow, where she would pump fake a Titan defender out of her shoes, dip underneath and lay it in with just eight seconds remaining.

The titans would quickly inbound the ball, looking to catch Allegheny off guard, but Gabby Halko's shot was blocked by Goeller at the buzzer to give the Gators a 65-63 victory. 

Goeller had a great game, when she was on floor, ending the game with 16 points on 6-12 shooting, to go along with eight rebounds and four steals. Restich would lead the team with 19 points, and a team high five assists as Allegheny would improve to 2-0 on the season.

With the win, the Gators advances to the championship game of the Allegheny Invitational against Misericordia, who defeated John Carroll earlier in the day 76-63. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.