MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's basketball team fought through a sluggish first half, and put on a clinic in the second half to sprint past Ohio Wesleyan, 72-54.

The Gators would start the first half strong, grabbing an early 4-0 lead on a pair of layups from junior Heidi Goeller and sophomore Erica Restich. They would hang onto their slight lead until 14:23 mark of the half when Sarah McQuade hit a jumper to give Ohio Wesleyan their first lead of the ball game.

The Battling Bishops would quickly extend their lead, by way of a 12-0 run go up by seven. Allegheny would go cold from the floor at the most in-opportune time, as Ohio Wesleyan would put on a full-court press to swarm the Gators offense and force them into a number of first half turnovers.

Ohio Wesleyan would grow their lead to as much as nine with 6:20 left in the opening frame when, just like in their previous game against Oberlin, they would end the half on a 14-5 run to knot the game at 31. Restich would provide most of the offensive spark in the first 20 minutes, netting 15 points on 5-9 shooting from the floor; including 2-5 from three.

The second half would be a battle for the first 10 minutes, as the lead would change hands three times. Neither team would lead by more than four until junior Daryl Ford hit a lay-up at the 8:39 to put the Gators up five.  

Ford, who struggled mightily in the first half, poured it on in the second, scoring 18 of her 20 in the final frame. From there, the route was on as Allegheny executed their offense to perfection while Ohio Wesleyan could do nothing but watch.

Goeller, who also struggled with her shot at times in the first half, really dug down deep and turned in a fantastic second half, scoring 14 of her team-high 24 in the second half. Restich, who kept her team in the first half with her shooting, would have a fantastic half distributing the rock, dishing out five of her team –high seven assists in the final 20 minutes.

Allegheny would stifle Ohio Wesleyan until the final buzzer, as the Gators would put away the Battling Bishops 72-54. The 17 point margin was the Gators largest margin of victory this season.

Ford would finish the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds, for her fourth double-double of the season. Goeller finished with 24 and seven, while Restich ended the game 19 points, six boards and seven assists as Allegheny improved to 11-5 on the year, and 6-1 in NCAC play.

The Girls will be off until next Saturday, January 21 when they will travel to Denison University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm.