HIRAM, Ohio – Hiram rode an unrelenting and efficient attack to an 83-68 victory over Allegheny at Price Gymnasium on Wednesday night.  The Gators battled back from several big deficits to stay in striking distance before dropping their second consecutive league battle.

Paced by Jamaal Watkins, Hiram rolled out to a huge lead early in the game. The Terriers were connecting on over 67% of their shots through the first 10 minutes of play while the Gators had trouble generating production out of their perimeter looks.

A three by Aaron Stefanov, his second of two during the game's initial run, put Hiram ahead, 17-4, with 14:02 left in the half. Allegheny had six turnovers during the stretch, and the Terriers' athletic attack cashed in on the extra chances with easy baskets at the other end.

Despite spotting Hiram a big lead, the Gators clawed back into contention with some quick hits from outside threat Ryan Stanko while senior captain James Ness was perfect in the paint, going 5-of-5 en route to 11 points in the half. Stanko's second three reduced the Terriers' lead to 21-17, although the home squad responded with a 9-0 run. Allegheny again cut the lead to single digits, but an inside jumper by Watkins capped the first-half scoring and sent Hiram to the locker room ahead, 38-27.

The Gators sliced into the Terriers' advantage early in the second half. Twice cutting the lead to seven, including a jumper by Stanko with 15:53 remaining, Hiram responded to each Allegheny charge by knocking down three-point shots in what was a red-hot offensive display. Hiram connected on 10 of its first 11 shots while its lead ballooned to 63-43 with 10 minutes still to play.

Allegheny once again manufactured an enthusiastic rally by picking up its own offensive performance and capitalizing at the free-throw line where the team finished 13-of-16. Reducing Hiram's lead to a workable deficit, rookie David DiBernardi connected on a three with just over three minutes left in regulation to cut the advantage to 72-64.

Hiram, which shot a staggering 60.8% for the game, kept answering the Gators. And although Allegheny was outscoring its second straight opponent in the second half until the Terriers iced the game at the foul line, the Gators were unable to get closer than eight down the stretch.

Watkins was 12-of-17 and closed with a game-high 26 points and a team-best seven rebounds. Stefanov added 22 on 6-of-9 shooting while knocking down four shots from beyond the arc. Forward Alan Sheppard was quiet in the first half, but efficiently shouldered the load for Hiram's interior offense in the second half en route to 16.

The Gators were led by Ness and Stanko, who each dropped in 23. DiBernardi added 10, while Clark Tritto chipped in six points and hauled in a game and career-high 12 boards. Allegheny was hampered by cold shooting from the outside where it finished 5-of-23 (21.7%). Hiram, which seemed to make the most of every opportunity, knocked down seven of its 12 long-range attempts during the game.

Although Hiram had more turnovers than Allegheny (15-14), the Terriers outscored the Blue and Gold 23-12 on the bonus possessions.