ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Chris Dende scored 20 points to lead four players in double figures as the University of Rochester defeated Allegheny College, 99-75, in the championship game of the Holiday Inn Airport Invitational at the Louis Alexander Palestra.

Nate Novosel and John DiBartolomeo added 17 points each for Rochester (4-1). Nate Vernon scored 12 points. DiBartolomeo had nine assists, six rebounds, one block, and two assists in 31 minutes. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Dende, who hit eight of 10 from the floor Sunday, joined him on the All-Tournament Team. 

James Ness scored 10 points for Allegheny, hitting 10 of 13 from the floor. DevoneMcLeod scored 18 points on seven of 10 accuracy. David DiBernardi scored 12 points for the Gators (2-4).  Ness and McLeod were named to the All-Tournament team with Mabior Mayen of Wells College and Matt Newell of Elmira College. Wells defeated Elmira, 66-52, in the third place game.

Allegheny jumped to an early 10-point lead (13-3) after three minutes. A conventional three-point play by DiBartolomeo closed the gap to 19-15 with 12:33 left in the half. DiBernardi made a three-point goal, then sank two free throws to stretch the lead to 24-15 within 34 seconds.

With Allegheny ahead by six, 28-22, after two more DiBernardi free throws, Rochester went on an extended 28-14 run over the last 10 minutes of the half to take a 50-42 lead at the break. Novosel (seven points) and Vernon (six) combined for nearly half the points. Seven players scored.

Rochester extended its lead in the second half by hitting 20 of 28 from the floor (71%) including seven of 12 three-point shots (58%). The Yellowjackets shot 62% for the game (39 of 63). Allegheny hit 59% from the floor (30 of 51), 63% in the first 20 minutes (17 of 27).

The Yellowjackets broke tournament records for most points in the tournament (205, the record was 194 by UR's 1989-90 team), total field goals (80, the record was 74 by UR in 1989-90), and assists (52, the record was 49 by UR in 1990-91).