MEADVILLE, Pa. – Allegheny held a lead as large as 13 points late in the first half, but were unable to build upon that lead, eventually giving way to a resurgent Kenyon Ladies (8-6, 2-1 NCAC) team that stormed back from that point in the game to eventually build a sizable lead of their as the Gators (7-6 1-2 NCAC) dropped their second consecutive conference game and third overall.
The Gators got a strong first half performance by Heidi Goeller who was perfect from the floor (5-of-5 FG, 2-of-2 FT) as she poured in 12 points. Rookie Kendra Pilarski was effective off the bench in the first half as she starts to work into the rotation more as she continues to get healthier following an off-season knee injury. Pilarski scored her seven total points in the first half on 2-of-5 (40%) shooting from the perimeter and was 3-of-4 (75%) from the charity stripe.
Once Allegheny peaked with a 13-point lead (28-15) with 4:45 left in the opening period, Kenyon would go on an 11-2 run to close out the half and cut the lead to four at the break. The Ladies were able to complete the comeback just minutes into the second half as they tied the contest at 30-all, capping a 15-2 run. The Gators would answer right back going back ahead by three after Daryl Ford was able to complete the play the old-fashioned way. The lead would be short-lived and prove to be the final lead the Gators would hold as the Ladies improved upon their shooting percentage from the first half, but the Gators, as a whole continued to struggle.
Goeller, who ended with a game-high 20 points, was the lone Gator to notch double figures, while the Ladies would end with four with 10 or more points. Another key stat in the game was the battle for the boards. Kenyon was dominate on both ends of the glass as they out-rebounded Allegheny 49-31 overall for the game, and a staggering 29-8 overall in the second half.
The Gators will look to snap their three-game skid as they will take to the road Wednesday, January 12th at Hiram College. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.