Meadville, Pennsylvania - Maintaining the lead for the final 15 minutes of the second half, the Oberlin College men's basketball team defeated Allegheny 72-60 on Wednesday night. With the win, the Yeomen advance to 4-2 on the year. 

JJ Gray led the Crimson and Gold 17 points and seven rebounds while also going 5-5 in free throws. Zach Smith added 14 points, three steals, and two rebounds while Rob Magner recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes of play. Performing well from below the net, Milun Micanovic led Oberlin with 11 rebounds, eight points, and two blocks. 

Following a three-pointer off the first possession, Allegheny kept Oberlin off the board for nearly three minutes. Positioned just outside the arc, Magner sent the ball to Micanovic who spun around, dunking the ball to open scoring for the Yeomen. Trailing 15-9, Liam Gray notched a long-range shot to reduce the margin. 

On the next possession, Adam Navarre sank another three-pointer from Sam Kamenko to tie the Gators. Both teams exchanged in back-and-forth play as neither team held more than a three-point advantage until a final three-pointer from Smith clinched a 37-32 edge with 21 seconds remaining. Navarre stole the ball off a bad Allegheny pass, making one final attempt from the top in the final second but was unable to convert as the Yeomen entered halftime with a five-point advantage. 

Administering a strong defense, Allegheny kept Oberlin off the board for the first four and a half minutes of the second half, tying the Yeomen with a three-pointer and a layup. It wasn't until Smith stole the ball allowing L. Gray to register the fastbreak layup to regain their lead. Holding a slight 39-38 edge, J. Gray recorded the next five points for Oberlin off a pair of layups and a free throw, extending their lead to 44-38. 

Maintaining the advantage for over 15 minutes, the Crimson and Gold continued to pull away holding as much as a 16-point lead over the Gators. Following a strong second half, the Yeomen secured the 72-60 victory. 

"I'm really proud of how the guys battled tonight. Allegheny is a tough, well-coached team and we knew winning at their place was going to be a challenge," Head Coach Shiva Senthil adds. "We didn't get off to the best start, but I loved the way we rallied. We were phenomenal defensively and on the boards and that's how you win on the road." 

Oberlin will return to Philips on Saturday, November 22 when they host Waynesburg. Afternoon tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. 

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