The Gators (3-7) led for much of the first half, using back-to-back three-pointers by freshman Brian Schulz and sophomore Casey McCloskey to take its largest lead at 22-14 with 5:07 to go before halftime. The Lions (4-4) closed the half with a three-point barrage, burying four triples to highlight a 13-5 spurt that gave Behrend a 28-27 advantage at the break.
Schulz paced the Gators with nine points and three three-pointers, while Doug Merski canned a trio of trifectas and scored 15 in the opening half.
Allegheny looked to take control early in the second half when freshman Bill Babe scored consecutive three-point plays to give the hosts a 41-34 lead at the 14:34 mark. That was answered by a 13-2 burst by the Lions to put them ahead 47-43. Allegheny answered with two consecutive baskets to tie the game but ran cold after that. McCloskey was the only AC player to score in the final 7:43, as the Lions pulled away to record the victory.
Junior forward Matt Majzlik scored a team-high 16 points for the Gators, who out-rebounded Behrend 32-27 for the game. Also reaching double figures for Allegheny was Babe and McCloskey with 11 each.
The Lions were led by Merski with 16 and Jared Clough with 10 markers.
Allegheny returns to NCAC play Friday with an 8 p.m. tip-off against Earlham (Ind.) College.
Penn State Behrend vs Allegheny College 1/3/05 7:30 p.m. at Meadville, PA At Meadville, PA PENN STATE BEHREND 58, ALLEGHENY COLLEGE 51 PENN STATE BEHREND (4-4) Merski Doug 6-8 1-2 16; Clough Jared 5-10 0-1 10; Buczynski Kevin 4-6 0-0 8; Lucas Joe 3-5 2-3 8; Mascara Cam 2-5 0-2 6; Lulich Tom 2-6 0-0 4; Gahan David 2-5 0-0 4; Jennings Justin 1-2 0-0 2; Ferguson J.J. 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-47 3-8 58. ALLEGHENY COLLEGE (3-7) Matt Majzlik 7-12 2-4 16; Bill Babe 4-8 3-3 11; Casey McCloskey 5-15 0-3 11; Brian Schulz 3-3 0-0 9; Mike Sefscik 1-4 0-0 2; Quinn O'Brien 1-1 0-0 2; Greg Richards 0-2 0-0 0; Pat Brannigan 0-2 0-0 0; Sean Brakey 0-0 0-0 0; Larry Sharp 0-2 0-0 0; Alex Alper 0-1 0-2 0; Justin Schmitt 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-50 5-12 51. Penn State Behrend............ 28 30 - 58 Allegheny College............. 27 24 - 51 3-point goals-Penn State Behrend 5-14 (Merski Doug 3-4; Mascara Cam 2-3; Lucas Joe 0-2; Lulich Tom 0-4; Jennings Justin 0-1), Allegheny College 4-19 (Brian Schulz 3-3; Casey McCloskey 1-6; Mike Sefscik 0-1; Greg Richards 0-2; Pat Brannigan 0-1; Larry Sharp 0-2; Alex Alper 0-1; Bill Babe 0-3). Fouled out--Penn State Behrend-None, Allegheny College-None. Rebounds-Penn State Behrend 27 (Lucas Joe 5), Allegheny College 32 (Matt Majzlik 6; Brian Schulz 6). Assists-Penn State Behrend 13 (Clough Jared 5), Allegheny College 14 (Bill Babe 5; Casey McCloskey 5). Total fouls-Penn State Behrend 14, Allegheny College 13. A-285