MEADVILLE, Pa. – Hiram survived a valiant comeback by Allegheny on Wednesday night, knocking off the Gators, 63-59, at the David V. Wise Center in front of a large and spirited crowd. The loss serves as a crippling blow for Allegheny's postseason aspirations, as the Blue and Gold faced its fourth consecutive defeat after a solid start to conference play.
The Gators uncharacteristically struggled from the floor, but the most telling difference in Wednesday's NCAC tilt was a dominating rebounding advantage by the visiting Terriers. Hiram boasted a 53-31 advantage on the glass, including 21 offensive boards. The Terriers capitalized on the extra chances as they racked up 21 second-chance points.
Faced with an enormous disadvantage, the Gators only chance to compete was to take care of the basketball and to orchestrate an effective offensive attack. Allegheny did an outstanding job protecting the ball, turning the ball over a season-low three times. Unfortunately, the NCAC's top shooting outfit couldn't get on track. Shooting 32.8% (19-of-58) for the game, the Gators endured their worst shooting performance of the year by a wide margin.
Despite the difficulties, Allegheny's unwavering resiliency allowed it to climb back from a 16-point first-half deficit, while battling Hiram to the very end. Trailing 50-44 with five minutes left in regulation, the Gators sliced the deficit to a pair following their next two possessions. Hiram never relinquished the lead, but every time it extended the game to five or six down the stretch, Allegheny kept pulling back within one possession. Josh Valentic, who finished with a team-high 18 points, canned a three from the wing with two ticks on the clock to tighten the score to 62-59, but the team couldn't manufacture the necessary steal on the ensuing inbounds play to set up a potential game-tying shot.
Devone McLeod added 17 points and a game-best three steals for the Gators, while back-up guards John O'Donnell and Kyle Murphy each chipped in five points to help spark Allegheny's second-half rally.