GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah men's basketball team earned their fourth-straight win this afternoon defeating the University of Valley Forge 85-74. A very balanced team effort led to this win as four different players scored in double-digits for the Falcons. Neil Murren led the team with 18 points going 4-7 (57%) from the field and 7-8 from behind the charity stripe. Matt Glogowski scored 16 points while Mat Hess and Josh Darville each added 12 in the win. Colin Sareyka dished out eight assists.
 
 
First Half, Sharp Shooting
Strong shooting by the Falcons was most certainly a determining factor that aided the 17-point lead at halftime 46-29. They shot 18-33 (54.5%) from the field and lit it up from beyond the arc going 9-17 (52.9%). Defensively they played solid forcing eight turnovers and outrebounded the Patriots 20-11 in the first half.
 
Messiah started the game on a 7-2 run and then at the 17:05 mark Neil Murren made a three-pointer on an assist by Josh Darville to increase the lead 10-2. After five minutes and some back-and-forth scoring Valley Forge tied the game at the 11:45 mark but Messiah responded with a three-pointer by Matt Glogowski to regain the lead 17-14.

The Falcons kept a steady lead for the next couple minutes and really started to pull away with under 10 minutes to play they went on a 7-0 run to take a double-digit advantage 29-19. After the Patriots hit a shot Murren again knocked down a three, Josh Darville made a jumper, and Sam Whittle drained one from behind the arc to complete a 5-0 run for Messiah. They kept up the momentum for the remainder of the half and with eight seconds left Nate Eberle made a three-pointer to give the Falcons their biggest lead of the game 46-29.
 
Second Half, Consistent Play
Although Messiah didn't shoot as well in the second half going 11-28 (39.3%) from the field, the strong first half and overall steady play in the game led to today's win. Matt Glogowski got things started right away with a three-pointer to extend the lead to 49-29, which then turned into a 8-0 run and at the 16:58 mark the Falcons were ahead 55-29.
 
Later in the game with Messiah ahead big, Nate Eberle knocked down another three-pointer with 15 minutes left to increase the advantage 62-34. Valley Forge didn't go away and kept playing, slowly cutting down the lead but the Falcons always had a response and stayed ahead by double-digits for most of the second half.
 
Late Comeback Stifled
Late in the game with 3:26 left to play and the Falcons ahead 74-56, the Patriots went on a 9-0 run to pull within nine 74-65. Messiah was forced to put their starters back in, after letting some of the bench get some playing time, to finish the game out. Valley Forge tried to play for a steal, but ended having to foul Messiah most times and make them take some shots from behind the charity stripe. The Falcons were smooth going 10-11 to finish out the game and win 85-74.
Overall Messiah went 29-61 (47.5%) from the field and 13-26 (50%) from three-point range. They also outrebounded Valley Forge 38-31.
 
Next Up
Messiah improves to 11-6 on the year with the win and are back on Jordan Court next Wednesday Jan. 20 taking on Lycoming College at 8:00 p.m.