XML Box Score Reading, PA – Messiah College built a big halftime lead and held off a ferocious second-half run by the Lions to win 81-75 on the road in the Commonwealth Conference opener. The win also keeps Messiah unbeaten this season at 5-0.
 
The conference rivals traded blows early before Messiah, leading 13-10, called a timeout midway through the first-half. The message given from coach Rick Van Pelt was certainly a good one as the Falcons went on an 11-0 run to take a 24-10 lead. Brad Bolen started the streak with a three-pointer and four different Falcons scored over the 4:11 stretch of time; Albright missed six-straight shots as Messiah was building the advantage.
 
Sam Marella finally ended the Lions' drought with a jumper at the 6:36 mark to make it 24-12.
 
With less than five minutes before the half, Zac Hoy hit a three-pointer to put Messiah up 29-13. On the Falcons' next possession Geoff Boyle made two free-throws to give the Falcons an 18 point advantage—their largest lead of the game.
 
At the half Messiah led 37-20, thanks in part to a perfect 11-11 performance from the free-throw line. Hoy led the Falcons with 14 points, seven of which came at the charity stripe. Taylor Groff was also in double-figures with 10 points. The Lions, meanwhile, struggled from the field and finished just 5-23 (21.7%) in the first-half.
 
Though leading comfortably, Messiah was quickly made uncomfortable by a Lions' 11-2 run to start the second-half. The Falcons did respond by scoring seven of the next nine points to take a 46-33 lead, but Albright kept chipping away. Midway through the second-half a driving layup by Reuel Moore brought the Lions with 52-45 and with 7:34 left a score by Pedro Perez cut the deficit to just four points (56-52).
 
Less than a minute later a three-pointer from Sameen Swint brought Albright to within 60-57 and then, at the 3:54 mark, Perez's shot from deep cut Messiah's lead to just 64-62.
 
Now leading by just a single field goal, Messiah responded in a big way. David Fernandez finished at the rim to make it 66-62 and, moments later, Hoy was fouled on his own driving score. He hit the free-throw to complete the three-point-play and put Messiah on top 69-62 with just 3:03 remaining.
 
Still, Albright fought back. Perez nailed a two-point jumper with just 53 seconds to go to bring the Lions to within six points (73-67). After two free-throws from Aaron DeVan gave Messiah a 75-67 lead, Kyle Jordan hit from beyond the arc to cut the Lions' deficit to 75-70 with 35 seconds on the clock.
 
After an ill-advised turnover from Messiah, Evan Ward hit 1-2 free-throws for Albright to make it 75-71. Brad Bolen was then fouled and hit both shots from the line, but Marella scored quickly at the rim to draw Albright to 77-73 with 20 seconds to play.
 
Messiah's next possession moved around to Christyan DeVan and he was fouled. The senior calmly made two free-throws but, after a quick score by Perez made it 79-75, Hoy then missed a pair from the line, feeding the Lions' hope.
 
But in the final seconds, Perez missed an attempt from deep and Messiah corralled the rebound before Brad Bolen was sent to the line where he sealed the win with two more points.
 
Through all the second-half dramatics, Messiah never lost their lead. That accomplishment—and certainly the win—was due in large part to their 22-25 showing at the free-throw line. The 22 points at the free-throw line is their most since hitting 29 of 38 attempts against Hood College on Jan. 19 of last season.
 
Groff shot 9-12 from the field in a dogged performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Hoy finished with 19 points on 5-8 shooting, including 8-10 from the line while playing all 40 minutes.
 
Brad Bolen (13 points) and Aaron DeVan (six points, 10 rebounds) also came up big for Messiah while David Fernandez overcame a 3-13 shooting performance to finish with eight points.
 
Four different players scored in double-figures for Albright, led by Perez (22).
 
With the loss, Albright falls to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the Commonwealth.
 
Messiah will be off until next week Wednesday when they will host Lebanon Valley College at 8:00 p.m.

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