COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Allen University men's basketball team posted a strong effort Wednesday night battling a quality SIAC West foe, Spring Hill College (Ala.), before succumbing late 76-68 from Adams Gym.

Each half saw SHC only edge the Jackets by four points taking a low-scoring first half 30-26 and the second half 46-42 as they held off a late Allen rally.

SHC got out to a fast start leading 13-4 before Allen tightened up and went on a 16-4 run themselves to take a 20-17 lead with 8 minutes to play. Spring Hill then finished the half on a 13-6 run to lead by four at the break. AU would then keep the second half within single digits as they crawled to within two points at 46-44 with 14 minutes to play. However, the Badgers then extended their lead to a game-high 13 points at 57-44 at the 11:20 mark.

Allen, though, would then go on a 12-4 run to crawl back to within 5 points (56-61) at the 7:30 mark and again at 72-67 on consecutive layups and a three pointer from senior forward Reggie Reynolds with under a minute to play. Spring Hill would close it out on the free-throw line shooting 45 percent overall from the floor but only 30 percent from three while AU struggled from long distance making just two threes and shooting only 8 percent limiting their chances of an upset win.

Reynolds' big game saw him score a season-high 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting with a team-best 11 rebounds and 2 assists while junior point guard Anthony Baker Jr. also had a nice game scoring 17 points with 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal. Senior guard Darius Williams was the final Jacket to finish in double figures scoring 16 points.

Junior Forward Tyriq McAdoo gathered 8 rebounds as well while sophomore guard Chase Cook led with four assists.

Spring Hill improves to 7-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference while Allen falls to 1-11 and 1-6 in conference. Allen has finished up their Western Division play and will now begin East Division play by hosting Morehouse College (Ga.) on Saturday at 7:00 PM from Columbia.