The win, the fourth in a row for Wabash and fifth in six games, was a battle in the final five minutes after having led by 16 points midway through the second half. The Little Giants led by 10 at the half after shooting 45-percent from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw stripe in the first 20 minutes.
The second half was a different story as Wabash connected on only eight shots from the field for 32-percent and hit 12-of-21 free throws, allowing the Gators to cut the lead to one with 18 seconds remaining in the contest. A quick foul by Allegheny sent sophomore guard Brady Claxton (Shelbyville, IN/Shelbyville) to the free throw line where he hit one of two shots, setting up the last second heroics by DesJean.
A missed jumper by Chris Hydeck was grabbed by Catanzarite, who drove the lane looking to add to his game-high 23 points with a game-tying runner in the lane. As the shot was release, DesJean stepped in front and rejected the shot with the rebound hitting off of Gator guard Billy Dungee and rolling out of bounds with one second showing on the clock. An inbound pass by Wabash to freshman Matt Storm (Anderson, IN/Lapel) and a throw of the ball in the air as the buzzer sounded gave the Little Giants their sixth win of the season.
Storm led the Little Giants with 18 points, with four of the five starters scoring in double figures for the fifth time this season. DesJean had his fifth double-double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Center Ryan Short (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) had 11 points, while junior Pleas Ferguson (Indianapolis, IN/Arsenal Tech) added 10 points.
Wabash is now 6-7 with the win, earning its fourth win in the North Coast Athletic Conference with only one loss. The Little Giants continue conference play on Wednesday night as they travel to play Ohio Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m.