By Pat Jameson

Coming off a crucial win over Denison College, Allegheny (11-6, 5-3 NCAC) nearly suffered a major upset to the College of Wooster this Wednesday.

The Fighting Scots (6-10, 1-7), ranked second to last in the conference, were three points from upending a Gator squad that is making a strong push for a number two seed in the upcoming NCAC tournament.

The play of Emma Pellicano played a key role in the Gator’s victory. The sophomore forward led  all scorers with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Pellicano scored 18 second-half points and four in the final minute of play to seal the 65-63 victory.

Makenzie Zidek, ’16, and Kendal Hoffman, ’15, scored 12 and 10 points respectively. Hoffman added 11 rebounds of her own.

Wooster came out firing and jumped to a 21-13 lead with six minutes remaining in the first half. The Gators were able to close the gap and a Hoffman free throw made it 31-31 at halftime.

Wooster refused to quit in the second half and the game remained a back and forth affair. The Fighting Scots trailed throughout much of the final fifteen minutes but never fell behind by more than six points.

Wooster took the lead with just over three minutes remaining to make it 59-58. However, two clutch free throws by Hoffman sparked a Gators’ scoring run that led to a score of 63-61 with a minute remaining. Two free throws by Pellicano and Zidek put the Gators up by four. The Fighting Scots were fouled on a layup with three seconds remaining missed the free throw.

The Gators snagged the ensuing rebound and sealed the score at 65-63.

The next few weeks will be tough for the Gators, as they are in a second place tie with Denison, Wittenberg and Ohio Wesleyan. They play all three teams in the next month, finishing their season against Denison. The Gators will need to be near perfect as each of their last eight games are in-conference. A loss could drastically change the conference outlook for the postseason.

Allegheny continues their season this Saturday against Oberlin College. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.