VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Falcons dropped their first game of the TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament against St. John Fisher 81-74. Colin Sareyka led all Falcons with 33 points, five assists, and three steals. Matt Glogowski recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, the Falcons shot 37.0% (27-of-73) from the field but struggled beyond the arc, shooting 20.8% (5-of-24). Messiah will face off against Greensboro College in the consolation game on Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. 

How It Happened
The Falcons started quick, going on a 7-0 run with points from Matt Glogowski and Colin Sareyka but the Cardinals answered right back with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 9-9. After a made layup by Glogowski gave the Falcons a 11-9 lead, the game was scoreless for nearly two minutes before St. John Fisher went on another 7-0 run to take a 17-11 lead that forced Messiah to take a timeout with 12:44 to play in the first half. Out of the timeout, Sareyka hit a three-pointer to make it 17-14 but the Cardinals made a strong charge forward that would last the entirety of the first half that had the Falcons down 44-30. 

The second half started with four points from the Cardinals but the Falcons responded with points from Colin Sareyka, Matt Glogowski, and Nate Eberle to help try to gain momentum for Messiah. With St. John Fisher holding a 48-36 lead, the Falcons had to work to make their way back into the game. Over the next seven minutes the Falcons fought their way to pull within seven points of the Cardinals. The effort was highlighted by nine points and a steal from Sareyka and a three-point from EJ Porter. Moments after Zach McDonough enter the game, he sunk a three to make it a 61-55 game in favor of the Cardinals. In the last seven minutes of the game, the Falcons made a charge that saw points from Matt Glogowski, Josh Darville, EJ Porter, and Colin Sareyka that put the Falcons within four points with the score set at 69-65. Moments later, the Falcons' charge continued as Kyle Krout hit a three that set the score at 71-68 with Messiah trying to complete the comeback. St. John Fisher earned a layup to make it 73-68 but Colin Sareyka answered back with a layup of his own to make it 73-70 with 2:10 to play before the Falcons called a timeout. Out of the talk, the Cardinals went on an 8-4 run to end the game, stopping Messiah's late efforts to win the game.

What's Next
The Falcons will continue play in the TowneBank Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. against Greensboro College.