Allegheny couldn’t find the touch at Branch Rickey Arena, hitting just 14-of-51 (27.5 percent) attempts from the field overall, including just 5-of-28 (17.9 percent) in the first half. The Gators also committed a season-high 27 turnovers in the game, leading to 31 points for the Battling Bishops (12-7, 7-3 NCAC).
The visitors grabbed an early 5-3 lead as Jennifer Latronica (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes) put home two buckets sandwiched around a Katie Kestler (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) free throw. Ohio Wesleyan retook the advantage quickly, but Latronica kept the Gators in it with a pair of free throws at 6:08, cutting the margin to 12-11. That would be the closest Allegheny would get the rest of the game, however, as the Bishops ended the stanza with a 12-3 run with the final five points coming from Emily Lloyd.
The Gators cut the margin to single-digits twice in the opening moments of the second half, but Ohio Wesleyan erupted for a 23-2 run to open up a 29-point lead (48-19) with 9:27 to play. The deficit grew to as many as 39 in the second half as the hosts connected on 21-of-25 free throw attempts.
Latronica was Allegheny’s lone double-figure scorer, connecting on 5-of-6 field goals and four free throws for 14 points. She also added team-highs of seven rebounds and two blocks. Senior Rosina Walton (Ingomar, Pa./North Allegheny) chipped in with seven points and four rebounds, while Maggie Mucha (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) tallied a team-high three assists.
Rachel Messaros led Ohio Wesleyan with 16 points, including three three-pointers, while Kelli Lester and Lloyd each poured in 10. Laurel Lawson led the rebounding department with eight on the afternoon.
Next up for the Gators is a home date against Hiram College on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m.