XML Box Score Middletown, PA – Messiah College hit six three-pointers in the first-half and never trailed as they held a lead from start to finish in a 74-60 win at Penn. State-Harrisburg.
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The Falcons started the game by hitting five of their first seven shots—including two three-pointers by
Taylor Groff—as they built a 17-10 lead. Messiah increased their lead to 29-18 with just over six minutes left in the frame on another three-pointer by
Brad Bolen. Still leading by 11 with under a minute to the break,
Zac Hoy fed
Geoff Boyle near the rim to put Messiah up 40-27.
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Messiah started the second-half with a three-pointer from Hoy and a driving layup from
David Fernandez to build their largest lead yet (45-29). At this point, however, the Lions made a final push to get into the game. They went on 9-0 run, the first seven of which were scored by William Doyle.
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Now leading by just seven points,
Scott Bolen hit a shot from deep to end the Lions' run push Messiah lead back to double-figures.
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Still, with just over nine minutes to play the Lions again drew to with seven points (53-46). This time, Messiah responded with a quick 8-2 run behind six points from
Brad Bolen. Moments later,
Scott Bolen again hit from beyond the arc to push the Falcons' lead to 66-52 as Messiah led by double-figures the rest of the way and won 74-60.
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Brad Bolen finished with 22 points while
Scott Bolen added 13 points of his own.
David Fernandez finished with 12 points on 6-10 shooting. Fernandez added eight rebounds to lead Messiah.
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Hoy also finished in double-figures with 10 points while dishing out eight assists and grabbing five rebounds.
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The Falcons finished 11 three-pointers on just 21 attempts. They also committed just 12 turnovers while forcing the Lions into 19 giveaways.
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Doyle led PSU with 28 points on efficient shooting overall (9-15), from deep (4-7), and from the free-throw line (6-6).
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The Falcons move to 3-0 with the win and will next play on Saturday, Nov. 23 when they host York College at 3:00 p.m.
