XML Box Score Grantham, PA - Despite a long season packed with exciting wins, program records, and high rankings, Messiah College men's basketball now finds themselves with their back against the wall.
 
The Falcons were defeated by Alvernia University on Saturday with first place in next week's conference tournament on the line; with the loss—and also a win by Stevenson—Messiah will enter the postseason as the No. 3 seed. They will travel back to No. 2 Alvernia for a Commonwealth Semifinal match-up, with Stevenson slotted at No. 1.
 
Messiah's entered Saturday's game with Alvernia with their fate in their own hands as a win would guarantee them the top spot. Early on it seemed like it would be a close battle from start to finish, but a one-point lead for the Falcons at the 12:41 mark of the first-half quickly turned into a double-digit halftime deficit. The Crusaders rolled off nine-straight points to grab the lead back and, in all, scored 21 of the final 28 points of the half to go up 36-23.
 
The Falcons shot just 1-13 over that game-changing stretch and managed to shoot just 33.3% from the field before the break.
 
In the second-half Messiah was unable to draw within single-digits until a jumper by Brad Bolen made it 55-46 with 8:28 to play. Still, Messiah would not get closer until a three-pointer by Zac Hoy brought Messiah to within 59-51 with 5:03 on the clock. A minute later Taylor Groff hit a three-pointer to make it 59-54 and set up a tight finish.
 
After a free-throw by Brian Parker put Alveria up 60-54, David Fernandez scored in the paint to make it a four point game at 60-56. Parker then scored in the post to put the Crusaders up 62-56 with 2:15 to play, but Zac Hoy responded with another three-pointer to bring Messiah to within on possession, 62-59.
 
With the teams now trading big shots, Chris Davis took a turn a nailed a three from the top of the key to give Alvernia a 65-59 lead with 1:25 left. Still, Messiah fought back with Brad Bolen and David Fernandez each collecting buckets to make it a 65-63 game.
 
With under a minute to play Charles Cooper hit one of two free-throws to give Alvernia a three-point lead, setting up a potential game-tying possession for Messiah. But Zac Hoy lost control of the ball with 23 seconds to play, forcing Messiah to foul Alvernia. The Crusaders then hit three of their final four free-throws and finished with a 69-63 win.
 
Fernandez led the Falcons with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Brad Bolen (14 points), Hoy (13 points) and Groff (10 points) joined in double-figures. Messiah shot just 23-56 from the field (41.1%) including just 7-24 from three-point range in the game.
 
Davis, Parker, and Lamont Clark each scored 16 points for Alvernia (18-7, 13-5), with Parker adding 14 rebounds.
 
The loss ended a tale of two conference regular-seasons for Messiah (19-5, 13-5). They went 8-1 in their first tour of conference opponents, but finished just 5-4 in the second go-around and will now go on the road in the conference postseason.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow GoMessiah.com for the posted game time of Wednesday's Semifinal match-up with Alvernia.

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