Tigers stage another second half comeback, take down Albert Gallatin, 77-71
by Jonathan Spina
Trailing by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter. North Allegheny exploded for 31 points in the final frame and escaped a tough Albert Gallatin team 77-71 in a non-section game on Saturday night at North Allegheny gymnasium.
Everything seemed to be going Albert Gallatin’s way in the first quarter as there seemed to be a lid on the rim for the Tigers as they shot 31-percent in the quarter and only scored 10 points. Albert Gallatin shot 60-percent from the floor in the first quarter, and held a 15-10 lead after a quarter.
In the second quarter the threes began to fall for North Allegheny. Unfortunately, the Colonials offense was still hitting on all cylinders getting the lead to double digits and going into the half with a 40-26 lead. The Tigers had no answer for Albert Gallatin senior Dylan Shea who had 22 points in the first half.
In the third quarter things began to turn around for North Allegheny, as the energy rose and the defense started to play well. Albert Gallatin hung in strong and kept their double digit lead heading into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was all Tigers as the defense held Albert Gallatin to 33-percent shooting, while the NA offense would put up 31 points. The most important thing for the Tigers were free throws down the stretch hitting 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter. North Allegheny would complete the comeback and Kyrell Hutcherson put the game away late with four straight free throws, and the Tigers won 77-71.
North Allegheny got huge second half production from Greg Habib, Matt McDonough and Khalil Dinkins. Habib was named the Wright Automotive Player of the Game and finished with 26 points, 15 of them coming in the second half, McDonough had 17 points, 12 coming in the second half and Dinkins finished with 14, 12 of them in the second half. Hutcherson also had 10 points, all in the second half with 6 for 6 shooting from the line.
North Allegheny improves to 6-2 overall. Albert Gallatin falls to 4-2 overall. Up next for the Tigers will be another home game against North Hills at 7 p.m on Tuesday. This game will be varsity only and will be live streamed on the North Allegheny Sports Network.
Boys Basketball vs. Albert Gallatin, 1-25-21
| GAME SUMMARY | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Albert Gallatin | 15 | 25 | 19 | 12 | 71 |
| North Allegheny | 10 | 16 | 20 | 31 | 77 |