Wabash jumped out to a 6-2 lead just over three minutes into the contest, but the Gators climbed into a 12-10 lead just three minutes later. Multiple lead changes took place until 4:31 remaining in the first half, as a Kyle Medeiros’ three pointer gave Wabash a 27-26 advantage, one they would not surrender the rest of the way.
At halftime the Blue and Gold were facing a six-point, 28-34 deficit that doubled to 12 points just four minutes into the second half. Ben Torsney’s (Morgantown, W.Va.) 4-of-5 performance from the floor led the Gators in the period, but his nine points and five rebounds after the break could not help Allegheny overcome the Little Giants.
Torsney and the rest of the Gator bench accounted for 21 of Allegheny’s 35 second half points, as the game starters went just 5-of-17 from the floor in the stanza.
McCloskey’s effort was just under his 16.1 points per game average coming into the night, and marks the fifth time he has led or tied for the team lead in scoring. Matt Majzlik (Monaca/ Hopewell) did not have a standard performance, however, as he was held to under ten points for the second game in a row after collecting double digit points in Allegheny’s first nine outings. Majzlik hit just one jumper on his way to five points and four rebounds.
Tying McCloskey for the game high in points were Wabash’s Adonis Joseph and Ryan Stephens. Stephens grabbed 11 rebounds, as he also picked up his first career double double.
The Blue and Gold are in action again tomorrow afternoon, as they travel to Earlham to face the Quakers in the second game of a women’s/men’s double header at 4:00 p.m.
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