The Tomcats took an early 5-2 lead in the opening two minutes but the Gators went on a 9-2 run over the next three minutes and never trailed again. Allegheny’s lead was at 20-15 midway through the half before another 10-2 spurt helped the Gators carry a 48-32 lead into halftime. Majzlik’s strength inside was a key point, as he totaled 12 points and AC outscored Thiel 32-18 in the paint in the opening 20 minutes.
Any hope for a Tomcat comeback was wiped out early in the second half, as the Gators ripped off 10 straight points, including back-to-back jumpers by junior guard Mike Sefscik (Pittsburgh, Pa./ North Catholic) to swell their lead to 64-41 with 12:24 to play. Thiel was able to slice the final deficit to 13 points due to 19 second half turnovers by the Gators, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Allegheny’s 52 percent (32-62) shooting from the floor and 49-38 advantage on the glass.
McCloskey reached 20 points in a game for the fourth time this season on 7-16 shooting and also tallied seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Majzlik poured in 20 on 8-11 shooting from the floor and 4-4 from the foul line, while also hauling in seven rebounds. Freshman forward Ben Torsney chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds in the victory.
For Thiel, guard Daryl Moore scored 16, while C.J. Hunt put in 13 and Max Slater added 10 in the setback.
Allegheny returns to action Dec. 22 when it travels to Kenyon (Ohio) College for an NCAC match-up at 7 p.m.
Thiel College vs Allegheny College 12/18/04 2 p.m. at Meadville, PA (Wise Center) At Meadville, PA (Wise Center) ALLEGHENY COLLEGE 79, THIEL COLLEGE 66 THIEL COLLEGE Daryl Moore 5-15 6-9 16; CJ Hunt 5-12 0-0 13; Max Slater 5-8 0-0 10; Gary Gates 2-4 2-2 6; Stephen Laird 2-6 0-1 5; Henry Passerrello 1-5 2-2 5; Damien Williams 2-7 0-2 4; Ross Watson 1-6 0-0 2; Joe Herrmann 1-7 0-3 2; Percy Sweeting 1-3 0-0 2; Nick Mihalik 0-1 1-1 1; Alberic Kande 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-75 11-20 66. ALLEGHENY COLLEGE Matt Majzlik 8-11 4-4 20; Casey McCloskey 7-16 5-8 20; Ben Torsney 4-6 1-3 9; Chase McKim 3-6 2-2 8; Mike Sefscik 3-5 0-0 7; Bill Babe 2-5 1-2 5; Quinn O'Brien 2-3 0-1 4; Brian Schulz 2-2 0-0 4; Justin Schmitt 1-4 0-2 2; Will Ness 0-0 0-0 0; Greg Richards 0-1 0-0 0; Pat Brannigan 0-0 0-0 0; Sean Brakey 0-2 0-0 0; Larry Sharp 0-1 0-0 0; Alex Alper 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-62 13-22 79. Thiel College................. 32 34 - 66 Allegheny College............. 48 31 - 79 3-point goals-Thiel College 5-21 (CJ Hunt 3-7; Henry Passerrello 1-4; Stephen Laird 1-2; Damien Williams 0-3; Joe Herrmann 0-1; Percy Sweeting 0-2; Daryl Moore 0-2), Allegheny College 2-14 (Casey McCloskey 1-5; Mike Sefscik 1-3; Chase McKim 0-1; Bill Babe 0-1; Justin Schmitt 0-2; Greg Richards 0-1; Larry Sharp 0-1). Fouled out--Thiel College-None, Allegheny College-Casey McCloskey. Rebounds-Thiel College 38 (Daryl Moore 7), Allegheny College 49 (Ben Torsney 8). Assists-Thiel College 14 (Daryl Moore 4), Allegheny College 19 (Casey McCloskey 7). Total fouls-Thiel College 19, Allegheny College 19.