MEADVILLE, Pa. – Senior forward James Ness scored a game-high 19 points and sophomore forward Clark Tritto added a career-best 16 as Allegheny smothered Oberlin, 64-44, in NCAC action at the David V. Wise Center on Wednesday night. The Gators, whose lead never dipped below 17 points in the second half, manufactured their most complete game of the season en route to their third win in their last four games.
Paced by Tritto's extraordinary effort, Allegheny started fast after the opening tip. The second-year post did most of his damage during an electrifying first half and finished the night shooting 7-of-8 from the floor while adding five rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists in 29 minutes of play. The game served as a coming out party for Tritto, who established career highs in nearly everything while providing an early spark for the Gators' attack.
Tritto's starting front court teammate, Ness, didn't deliver any startling plays on the defensive end, but was incredibly efficient en route to his sixth double double of the season. Allegheny's senior captain dropped in 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting while hauling down a game-best 11 boards. With Ness and Tritto making good on nearly every look, the Gators finished the night with a 40-16 scoring advantage in the paint.
Allegheny looked sharp at both ends in the first half, and held the Yeomen to just 30% shooting for the game to keep its large lead intact. Conversely, the Blue and Gold shot 50.9% from the field and totaled 15 assists on 27 field goals. Devone McLeod added eight points in the win, while rookie guards Gabe Seidman and David DiBernardi each chipped in seven.
Oberlin's Andrew Fox scored the first basket of the game on the Yeomen's first possession, but the Gators led 9-4 three minutes into the tilt with McLeod dishing out four assists on the team's first four field goals.
A steal and lay-up by Tritto gave Allegheny its first double-digit lead with eight minutes left in the half and the Gators never looked back. A series of easy baskets by Ness, Tritto, and Bobby Theiss pushed the advantage to 34-16 with three minutes left in the frame, while a jumper by McLeod at the buzzer sent Allegheny into the break with a 36-19 lead.
Fox led Oberlin with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Gators boasted a commanding 42-26 advantage on the glass, while holding a league opponent to its lowest scoring total since authoring an 84-43 victory against Denison in the opening round of the 1989 NCAC Tournament.