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Junior shooting guard Jordan Beard breaks the full court pressure of Allegheny's Bill Babe tonight during the Yeomen's 69-74 loss to the Gators |
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by Erik Kojola
February 7, 2007 -- The Oberlin men’s basketball team was unable to overcome an early deficit to visiting Allegheny College (Pa.) this evening as the hosts lost 69-74. The Yeomen would get within one late in the first half, but the Gators would respond to secure their second win over Oberlin this season.
Oberlin’s chances of qualifying for the North Coast Athletic Conference playoffs were diminished a bit as they drop to 3-10 in the NCAC, 4-18 overall. Allegheny improves to 5-8 in the conference, 9-12 overall. The Yeomen will likely need to win at least two of their final three NCAC games to qualify for the postseason.
The Yeomen got to within 10 points with 1:48 left in the game, but were unable to make a late-game run despite poor free-throw shooting by the Gators, who shot 12-27 (41.7%) from the charity stripe. Oberlin fared better against the Gators than in their earlier season match-up in which the Yeomen lost 68-93.
Oberlin made the first basket of the game, but Allegheny responded with an 11-point run and Oberlin would not lead again. In the first half, Allegheny jumped out to an early 20-9 lead with 13:44 remaining in the period. The Yeomen would chip away at the deficit and get to within one at 28-29 following a trey by senior Quinton Spencer with 4:56 left in the half. Oberlin kept the game close but went into the half down 34-39 after a lay-up at the buzzer by first-year George Raftis. The Gators were boosted by junior Bill Babe’s four treys in the first half, while sophomore Mike Loll guided the Yeomen with 10 points.
The second half started well for the Yeomen, as they got within two points with 18:47 remaining in the game. However, Allegheny would respond with a 21-3 run over a seven-minute span that would put them up 60-40 with 11:44 remaining in the game. Oberlin battled back and was within nine points with just under a minute left, but just couldn’t quite close the gap.
Both teams were productive from behind the arc, as Oberlin made 11 of 29 attempts and Allegheny 10 of 24 attempts. The Gators shot well from the field, making 26 of 52 field goal attempts, while the Yeomen were 25 of 60 from the floor. Allegheny also passed the ball well, connecting for 20 assists.
Loll led the Yeomen with an impressive team-high 19 points, four assists, eleven rebounds, and three blocks. Junior Jordan Beard had 16 points and one assist, while Spencer had 11 points and three assists.
Allegheny was paced by senior Jimmy Savage’s game high 20 points, including five three-pointers, and four assists along with Ben Torsney and Babe, who had 16 points apiece.
Oberlin travels to Kenyon on February 10 for an important NCAC math-up at 3:00 p.m. The Yeomen beat Kenyon 63-62 in overtime earlier in this season at Philips Gymnasium.
Box Score | Photographs
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