Men's Basketball: Dominant offense lifts Gators over Bison

Drew VonScio, Student Assistant for Athletic Communications 

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Bethany men's basketball team went on the road tonight in their first trip up to Allegheny since they rejoined the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Despite the Bison offense coming out stronger in the second half, the effort was far from enough as they fell to the Gators, 90-52.

Allegheny set the tone early by going on a 10-0 run through the first four minutes of play. Bethany was finally able to crack the scoreboard when Cole Dailey hit a jumper from inside the arc, but the Gators would respond with another 10-0 run. Dailey continued to lead the Green and White offense by sinking a three-pointer of his own. The back portion of the opening frame was much more of a contest between the sides, but Allegheny used their early runs to enter the halftime break ahead by 24 points, 47-23.

The second half saw Bethany put up more of a fight as Chance Wright sunk a jumper of his own inside the opening minute. That momentum quickly went by the wayside as the Gators led by as much as 41 points throughout the final 20 minutes of play. Despite the circumstances, the Green and White offense did not fold as they put up seven more points over the final few minutes with Troy Hixson leading that charge. Dailey, Wright, and Chance Wells spearheaded the Bison offense, but were limited as Allegheny's strong defense was one of the difference-makers. Shots from distance were also far from kind to the visitors as they shot just 19% (4-for-21) outside the arc.

Dailey led the squad with 14 points tonight while Wells grabbed the greatest number of loose balls from the glass with a half-dozen for Bethany. The Bison will look to take advantage of an extended break around the Thanksgiving holiday and regroup ahead of their next contest on November 30 inside Hummel Field House against Thiel. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.