MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny College men's basketball team picked up their first win of the 2024-25 season as they defeated Penn State Shenango, 83-79, on Monday night inside the David V. Wise Center.

Not only does it mark the first win of the year for the Gators, but it's also the first for head coach Pat Sullivan in his debut season with the Gators.

The back-and-forth first half featured five lead changes and four tied scores. The Lions jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but a 3-pointer by Luke Barker (New Castle, Pa./Struthers (Ohio)) followed by a Ryan Lang (Sarver, Pa./Knoch) layup just 20 seconds later gave Allegheny a 7-6 lead at the first media timeout. Knotted at 21 apiece midway through the frame, the Gators put together an 11-0 run to gain control.

After a Lions' basket broke up the run, Tanner Miller (Elkins, W. Va./Elkins) and Lang hit back-to-back threes to extend the lead to 38-23. However, the Lions ended the half on a 12-2 run to cut their deficit to 40-35 at the break. Barker led the Gators with 18 points in the opening 20 minutes. Lang ended the half with six points and eight rebounds. The Gators shot 44.4% (16-of-36) from the floor and owned a 26-to-17 edge in rebounding.

The second half started in a similar fashion as the first as the teams continued to trade baskets as Allegheny led 51-45 five minutes into the frame. After the first media timeout, Shenango went on a 9-3 run to tie the game at 54-all. The Gators held a 61-60 advantage before a trey by James Sitter (Erie, Pa./Fairview) kicked off a 7-0 run with other baskets from Barker and Marchelo Moreira (Abu Dhabi, UAE/IMG Academy (Fla.)) in just over a minute of game time.

Allegheny pushed its lead to 10 points, 74-64, with just over four minutes left after baskets by Barker and Lang. Down the stretch, the Lions continued to fight back as they cut the lead to three points in the final minute. However, the Gators held on to pick up the victory.

Inside the Box

• Both teams made 31 field goals and eight 3-point shots.
• Allegheny was more efficient with a 47.0 field-goal percentage, compared to a 43.1% clip by Penn State Shenango.
• The Gators controlled the glass with a 47-to-37 advantage in rebounds.
• The Lions earned more steals (6-to-4), but the Gators had more blocks (3-to-1).
• Barker led all Gators with a team-leading 30 points, including five 3-point buckets.
• Lang and Sitter both scored 16 points, and both finished with double-doubles with 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
• Lang also dished out a team-high five assists.
• Jayson Perry (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) and Isaiah Portis (Medina, Ohio/Norwayne) each added six points.
• D'Montez Owens poured in a game-high 31 points for Penn State Shenango.
• Malik Davis (19) and Izzy Santiago (10) also scored double-digit points for the Lions.

News and Notes

• The Gators improved to 3-0 all-time against Penn State Shenango.
• The win marked the first for head coach Pat Sullivan at Allegheny.
• Allegheny's 83 points and 47 rebounds are both season highs.
• Barker's 30 points were a season-best and the most he's scored in a game since dropping 34 on Bethany College on November 21, 2023.
• Lang and Sitter recorded their first collegiate double-doubles against the Lions.

Up Next
The Gators are back in action Wednesday, December 4, at home against Geneva College in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action. Allegheny will also host its annual Toy Drive during the game to benefit the Center for Family Services in Meadville.