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Grantham, PA –
Brad Bolen scored a game-high 26 points to lead Messiah over Stevenson University on Wednesday, with the Falcons earning an 83-72 decision in Brubaker Auditorium. Bolen shot an efficient 6-11 from the field, hitting 2-4 from downtown and also 12-14 from the free-throw line.
The Falcons went ahead of the Mustangs by as many as 20 points on Wednesday, and led 61-43 with 9:49 left in the game. But Stevenson drew to within 64-56 behind the stellar play of Brett Burrier and Christian Roberts. The pair combined for 47 points in the game and led the Mustangs' second-half charge, bringing their team to the eight-point deficit with 6:12 left.
But after two free-throws by
Zac Hoy, Bolen scored on a breakaway layup to put Messiah back by 12 points. After trading baskets for a few more minutes, a post score by
Taylor Groff put Messiah up 76-68 with just 1:14 on the clock.
The score by Groff was surely a big bucket, but was just one of a few highlights for the forward as he scored 12 points and collected 11 rebounds for his third-straight double-double. Groff now has six double-doubles this season.
After making good on their late free-throw opportunities—including a perfect 6-6 by Hoy in the final minute—Messiah finished off their fourth Commonwealth victory in seven chances.
“This was a big win for us: at home, in our conference, against a good team,” Messiah head coach
Rick Van Pelt said. “It was great for us to build a lead and be able to play from ahead.”
Messiah's lead was established early in the game, as they broke a 2-2 tie and never looked back.
Derek Mosley hit three shots from downtown to score nine of Messiah's first 11 points, combating a Falcons' trend of playing from behind in conference games this season.
“When we're able to start strong, I think we can play with anyone in our conference,” Van Pelt said, commenting on his team's strong start on Wednesday. “I think we did a good job of meeting the challenge tonight.”
The Falcons went up 16-7 on a three-pointer from Bolen at the 13:24 mark, and went up 20-9 on a layup by Hoy moments later. Messiah led by as many as 14 points in the first-half, shooting a blistering 8-14 (57.1%) from downtown before intermission.
Messiah led 37-27 at the half, making good on their second-chance opportunities by collecting 10 points off offensive rebounds.
“I thought we rebounded well tonight, though we did give up 17 offensive rebounds,” Van Pelt said, noting that the Falcons outrebounded the Mustangs 41-32. “Our guys battled around the rim and we were physical with the ball.”
The Falcons' second-half started quickly, as Bolen scored 10 of his team's first 13 points to give Messiah a 50-33 lead with under 15 minutes to play. The lead grew to the aforementioned 20-point advantage, as the Falcons managed to withhold a spirited Stevenson surge.
The win moves Messiah to 8-5 overall, with Stevenson falling to the same record. The Falcons improved to 4-3 in the Commonwealth, however, with the Mustangs falling to 2-5.
Overall, Messiah shot 11-22 (50%) from the three-point line, shooting 24-52 (46.2%) overall to collect a season-high 83 total points.
Defensively, the Falcons held Stevenson to 40.8% shooting from the field. The Mustangs also managed just 5-21 (23.8%) shooting from downtown.
Bolen and Groff were joined in double-figure scoring by Mosley and Hoy, as they scored 12 points and 16 points, respectively. Hoy added seven assists, while Mosley collected eight boards. Bolen's 26 points were two shy of his season-high set against Lebanon Valley College in December.
The Falcons will next play on Saturday, Jan. 12, when they travel to Arcadia University to oppose the Knights at 3:00 p.m.
Check out some photos from tonight's contest! (These photos are available for sale)
Men Victorious Against Mustangs Gallery
