FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State men's basketball team fell to the Allegheny Gators, 88-74, to open the season on Tuesday. The Devils were led by senior Dydy Bryan (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Boys & Girls)with 21 points, six assists, and three steals. My'Kell Kaigler (Liverpool, N.Y. / Bishop Ludden) added 13 points and freshman Jacob Hougan (Chardon, Ohio / Chardon) added 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds in his college debut. 

Brian Roberts, Jr. led the Gators (1-0) with 20 points, and Caden Hinckley added 17 points and 11 rebounds.

The Gators led the majority of the game, but the Devils kept it close throughout most of the contest. Following a jumper by Jackson Brown (Latham, N.Y. / Catholic Centra) with 7:02 left in the first half, the Devils led 26-25. Brown would finish with 10 points.

The Gators would reclaim the lead for good on the next possession and held a 43-37 lead at the half.

Bryan hit a free throw at the 16:50 mark of the second to put the Devils withing three, 49-46. From there, the Gators took control, outscoring the Devils 39-28 the rest of the way.

The Devils were slowed by 2-of-21 shooting from three-point land. However, their aggressive play saw them make 30 trips to the free throw line, converting 20 times. Allegheny was 15-22 from the charity strpe.

Overall, they shot 37 percent (26-70) from the floor, compared to the Gator's 44 percent (32-72). The Gators had a 46-42 edge in rebounds, and shot 9-31 from three-point range.

The game also marked the start of the Smiley Era at Fredonia State. It was the head coaching debut of Sean Smiley.

The Devils return to the hardwood with a Saturday game at St. John Fisher.




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