Meadville, Pa.- The DePauw University men's basketball team win its third straight game after beating the Allegheny College Gators 63-58.

DePauw's tenacious defense played a significant role in its victory over the Gators. The combination of strong help defense and its ability to recover in a fast break attempt by Allegheny, the Tigers, forced big turnovers and stifled a typically dominant Gator offense.

With both DePauw and Allegheny entering the matchup with a 2-2 conference record, the energy was high to pull ahead in conference standings. Despite playing the afternoon before, the Tigers came out with energy, with Nolan Ginther putting up six points within the first three minutes of play.

Throughout the first half, the Gators and Tigers traded baskets, tallying 13 lead changes, with DePauw holding onto the lead for just over 10 minutes of the half.

Shooting just 36% from the field and going 3-5 from the line, the Tigers could not hold the Gators, back finishing the half tied at 30.

Determined to come out on top, however, DePauw opened the second half with grit, putting up 11 points between Ginther in the paint and consistent, sharpshooting by Elijah Hales behind the arc.

In the second half, the Tigers maintained the lead for almost the entirety of the game. Capitalizing on forced turnovers, DePauw scored eight points to the Gators two and held its opponents to 34% from the field. 

Though Allegheny did cut the Tigers lead by one possession late-game efforts by Caymn Lutz and Ginther helped put the game away.

The Tigers improve to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the NCAC. DePauw's next game is Saturday, Jan. 11, against The College of Wooster, in the first of the back-to-back men's and women's basketball games. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. This Freaky Fast post game report is sponsored by Jimmy John's in Greencastle, Indiana.