MEADVILLE, Pa. – A familiar theme re-surfaced in Saturday's NCAC tilt between Allegheny and Wittenberg, although the Gators have yet to find a way to turn their unwavering competitive spirit into a positive result. Facing the first-place Tigers on the heels of their big win over nationally-ranked No. 5 Wooster, Allegheny gave Wittenberg all it could handle and out-played their perennially-strong conference foe in the second half. Unfortunately, a sub-par effort at the free-throw line coupled with a sizeable deficit early in the game resulted in a 65-54 victory for the Tigers at the David V. Wise Center.

In a match-up of two of the best post players in the league, Allegheny senior James Ness got the better of Clayton Black, who was the lone forward to garner a spot on the NCAC All-Conference First Team last season. Both players posted double-doubles in the individual marquee match-up, although Ness was a primary catalyst in the Gators' ability to keep it close after finishing a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor en route to a game-best 17 points. He added 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Black, who entered Saturday as Wittenberg's second-leading scorer, closed with 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting while hauling down a game-high 11 boards.

The Tigers' largest lead of the game was 15 midway through the second half, although for the third straight outing, the Gators showed their resiliency as they pulled to within seven multiple times down the stretch. Wittenberg was able to extend the advantage back to double figures behind late work at the charity stripe but was outscored, 32-30, in the second half.

Sophomore Ryan Stanko scored all nine of his points during the Gators' second-half surge while rookie Gabe Seidman helped spark the rally with a career-high 11 points and four steals.

Trailing 53-42 with just over six minutes to play, back-to-back jumpers by Stanko and Ness energized the spirited home crowd. While Black converted a traditional three-point play at the other end, Stanko responded with his second triple in as many tries to pull Allegheny back within seven with just over three minutes on the clock (56-49). Allegheny attempted three long-range shots before Wittenberg converted its next field goal, but couldn't come up with any points.

Allegheny turned the ball over 23 times, but Wittenberg was also often careless with the basketball in what, at times, was a sloppy game. The biggest key in the Gators' inability to tighten the pressure on the Tigers was the lack of success at the free-throw line. The Gators finished 12-of-23 at the foul line, but more importantly, missed the front end of a one-and-one four times in the second half.

Freshman Brandon Smith, who finished with nine points, scored Allegheny's first four points of the game in a good start for the Blue and Gold. A jumper in the paint by Ness gave the Gators a 14-10 lead at 11:57 of the period, but the Tigers responded with eight straight points and never again trailed.

Michael Cooper led the Tigers with 16 points while Josh McKee and Zack Leahy each chipped in 10. Allegheny shot 43.2% from the field, its best effort in four games, while the defense delivered its best effort in six tries after holding the Tigers to 41.2% shooting.