MEADVILLE, Pa. - An inspired Allegheny (5-11, 2-5 NCAC) effort came up just short on Saturday, as the Gators fell 59-57 to first place and conference unbeaten Kenyon (10-6, 7-0 NCAC) at the David V. Wise Center. http://www.allegheny.edu
NCAC Leading Kenyon Outlasts Gators
January 19, 2008
MEADVILLE, Pa. - An inspired Allegheny (5-11, 2-5 NCAC) effort came up just short on Saturday, as the Gators fell 59-57 to first place and conference unbeaten Kenyon (10-6, 7-0 NCAC) at the David V. Wise Center.
Kenyon opened the contest with a quick 5-0 run and led 11-5 with 15:23 left in the first period. The Gators got back into the game with a 9-0 run ending in an Emilie Simone (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) layup, making the score 14-11 in favor of Allegheny with 12:51 remaining before the break. The Gator run was highlighted by an “old-fashioned” three-point play by Shannon Culbreath (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) and a three-pointer from Hilary Collins (Franklin, Pa./Franklin).
After both sides traded buckets, the score sat at 16 apiece for over three minutes of play. The Ladies picked up the pace with a 7-0 run capped by a Kat Powers triple with 5:11 left in the half. Allegheny battled back over the duration of the period, outscoring Kenyon 13-9 during a fast-paced five minutes of basketball to close out the stanza. The final points of the period were scored when Stephanie Wolf (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) connected on two free-throws following a Kenyon foul at the buzzer, sending the game into intermission with a 32-29 Lady advantage.
The second half opened with even play from both sides before Kenyon built a 49-40 advantage following a Hilary Gowins three-point shot with 13:12 left to play. The Gators responded with a 10-0 run culminating in a Wolf three-point play, giving Allegheny a 50-49 lead with 8:22 remaining in the game.
The Ladies came right back with a 7-0 run of their own to recapture the lead at 56-50 with 4:49 left on the clock. Allegheny once again battled back behind a Collins three-pointer and strong team defense to cut the deficit to one, at 56-55, with 3:38 remaining.
Both defenses tightened for the next minute and a half before Allegheny’s Laura Magnelli (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) connected on a pair of free throws, giving the Gators a 57-56 advantage with 2:04 left to play. Kenyon answered on their next possession with the eventual game-winner, a three-pointer from Anne Dugan, which made the score 59-57. The Ladies were able to play keep-away and strong defense for the final 1:53 to secure their seventh straight victory.
Wolf led the Gators with 14 points and game-highs in rebounds (9), assists (6), and steals (4). Brittany Bell (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) hit three triples en route to 11 points while Collins and Simone each totaled 10 points for the Blue and Gold.
Dugan and Gowins were equally effective for the Ladies, each totaling 17 points, with the former adding eight boards.
Kenyon outshot Allegheny .446 to .412 while the Gators held a 35-31 edge on the boards. Both teams totaled 26 points in the paint.
Allegheny has the next week off before hosting Denison next Saturday as part of the College’s girls and women in sports day. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.