MEADVILLE, Pa. – Sophomore Devonne McLeod led four Allegheny players in double figures with 19 points, and the Gators weathered a late Kenyon rally en route to an 80-76 victory at the David V. Wise Center. The Blue and Gold received great production out of its entire starting lineup while delivering a near-perfect effort at the free-throw line.
Despite playing inside the friendly confines of one of the great small-college arenas in the country, Allegheny (5-9, 2-4 NCAC) has proved to be a foul-weather squad. Falling just short in an upset bid over the nation's top-ranked team with the cities' last blizzard brewing outside, the Gators out-played a tough Kenyon (6-8, 2-3) club amidst similar stormy conditions on Saturday.
Junior post James Ness fouled out of the action with 5:46 left in regulation and his exit ignited an explosive resurgence for the Lords. Trailing 70-60, Kenyon orchestrated a 12-1 run over the next four minutes that culminated with the visitors grabbing their first lead since the opening minute of the game. Kenyon leading scorer Kodey Haddox, who got hot after a quiet first half, drained a step-back jumper from the right side for the 72-71 lead. Just as the unsettling feeling of a disappointing finish began to materialize, rookie D'Andre Corbin connected on a key attempt from the middle to give the lead back to the Gators and re-energize a spirited home crowd. The basket was Allegheny's first made field goal in nearly seven minutes.
Putting the pressure back on Kenyon, Haddox responded to the challenge by hitting another contested jumper from just inside the arc. On the ensuing possession, Corbin was once again brilliant as he bucketed a jumper in the paint while drawing a foul. After hitting the bonus, Corbin iced the win with a pair of free throws following Haddox's missed jumper at the other end.
McLeod showed great leadership at the offensive end and made big shots when the team needed it most. He finished with 19 points and four assists, and closed 5-of-5 at the line in the second half. The entire unit made great use of the charity stripe against Kenyon, finishing 23-of-25 (92%). Ness provided most of the damage, going 9-of-10 en route to 17 points. The junior starter added seven rebounds and two blocks while scoring double figures for the seventh consecutive game.
Junior Donte Briscoe filled the stat sheet in the league win, contributing 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to author his second double-double in three games. He also added four steals and three blocks. Senior Seth Eisner knocked down several clutch three's in the second half and finished with 14 points, while Corbin dropped in nine points and dished out a game-high seven assists. Freshman Bobby Theiss gave the Gators a nice lift off the bench by adding nine points, four boards and a steal.
Haddox led all scorers with 20 points, including 15 in the second half. Brian Lebowitz closed with 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Allegheny, which has endured a demanding winter slate. It also extended Allegheny's win streak against the Lords to four.