MEADVILLE, Pa. – Junior forward James Ness scored a career-high 22 points and rookie point guard D'Andre Corbin added 20 as Allegheny upended Pitt-Greensburg, 71-67, in the first round of the 2010 Allegheny Invitational. The Gators advance to play Catholic University in Sunday's championship after the Cardinals dropped Fredonia State earlier in the evening.
Ness, a local product and Meadville high school graduate, delivered an outstanding effort to help offset a tremendous performance by Pitt-Greensburg big man David Palmer, who scored a game-high 26 points and hauled in 11 rebounds. Ness was outstanding in the paint throughout the night, converting 8 of his 10 shots while pulling in 10 boards to record his first career double-double.
A resilient defensive performance provided the highlight in head coach Jim Driggs' first career victory as the team weathered a furious charge by the Bobcats late in the game. Trailing 61-59 with just over four minutes remaining in regulation, Corbin canned a three from the right wing to give the Gators a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Ness knocked down a pair of free throws and blocked an inside attempt by Palmer in the next minute to stretch the lead to three, while Corbin converted a sweet one-handed jumper in the paint over the outstretched hand of a post defender to push the advantage to five. Palmer scored four points in the final minute to keep the Bobcats in contention, although Corbin and Devone McLeod iced the win at the free-throw line in front of a thunderous home crowd.
McLeod scored 12 points and dished out a team-best five assists to give the Gators three players with double figures, but it was the defensive end that signaled the difference. Donte Briscoe, who endured a sub-par shooting performance, totaled 11 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks to provide the leading spark, while eight of the team's nine players seeing action grabbed at least two rebounds.
In the final three minutes of the first half, Allegheny used a 9-2 run to power to a 38-29 advantage. McLeod smoothly converted a tear drop in the lane during the stretch while Corbin capped the first-half scoring with a three. Allegheny's dynamic rookie showcased a great stroke as he finished the night 3-of-3 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 at the charity stripe.
Following a steal and fast-break dunk by Briscoe, the Gators extended their lead to a game-high 13 points three minutes into the second frame. The Bobcats turned to Palmer to ignite the comeback, although a pair of three's by senior Seth Eisner kept the Blue and Gold in front. Two more baskets in the paint and three free throws by Palmer finally pushed the Bobcats ahead and set the stage for Saturday's exciting finish.