READING, Pa. – The Falcons earned a hard fought 68-63 win over the Golden Wolves to advance to 5-5 on the season and 2-1 in the conference. Messiah was led by Matt Glogowski who scored a career-high 25 points, shooting perfect from beyond the arc (3-of-3) and on the free throw line (4-of-4), ending the game with a 60.0% shooting percentage. Colin Sareyka also highlighted the Falcons' performance with 15 points and nine rebounds. As a team, Messiah shot 40.4% from the field, 37.5% from deep, and 86.7% from the free throw line.
 
Messiah will play Lycoming College on the road on Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m.
 
From Start to Finish
The Falcons opened up the first half with a quick 9-1 run with points from Colin Sareyka, Will Young IV, and Matt Glogowski. The run forced the Golden Wolves to take a timeout with 15:57 to play in the first half. Out of the timeout, the Falcons continued to carry momentum with Matt Glogowski earning four points to give Messiah a 13-3 lead. After a layup from Nate Eberle, the Falcons were holding a 15-3 lead but the Golden Wolves dropped six-straight points to try to close the gap. Will Young IV responded with a three-point play after getting fouled on a layup to stop the Golden Wolves' charge. Matt Glogowski helped keep the offense going in the first half with a mid-range jumper and a three-pointer just moments later, giving the Falcons a 23-13 lead. Alvernia wasn't out of the fight yet as they put in back-to-back three pointers. Matt Glogowski responded with another three of his own, keeping the Falcons' lead alive with the score set at 26-22 with 6:31 to play in the first half.

With the pace of the game heating up, Zach McDonough and Colin Sareyka added five points for the Falcons, giving them a 31-24 lead. In the closing minutes of the first half, the Golden Wolves utilized heavy pressure and took their first lead of the game with the score set at 34-33. Colin Sareyka answered immediately with a layup to take the lead again but right before the break, Alvernia fought their way down the court to shoot a mid-range jumper, giving them a 38-35 lead over the Falcons.
 
Right out of the break, EJ Porter drained a three to tie the game but the Golden Wolves responded with a three of their own to make it 41-38 in favor of Alvernia. After sinking two free throws, Matt Glogowski earned the next two points for the Falcons that gave them the 42-41 lead with 17:31 to play in the second half. The Golden Wolves answered back, holding the Falcons scoreless over the next five minutes with an 8-0 run, giving Alvernia the 50-42 lead. Messiah halted the Alvernia run with points from Zach McDonough and Will Young IV to make it a 51-46 game in favor of the Golden Wolves with just under 11 minutes to play in the second half. A three-pointer from Kyle Krout would force a Golden Wolves timeout with 10:04 to play in the second half with Messiah trailing 51-49. Out of the timeout, the Golden Wolves expanded their lead to 55-49 but Matt Glogowski sank two free throws to make it 55-51 with 6:48 to play. Alvernia took a shot from deep with the shot clock expiring and it paid off as they went up 58-51 but Zach McDonough quickly responded with a three of his own. After getting fouled on a fast break, Colin Sareyka sank two free throws, pulling the Falcons within two of the Golden Wolves. With just under four minutes to play, Matt Glogowski recorded a game-tying dunk that forced the Golden Wolves to call a timeout. After the quick talk, Matt Glogowski kept things going for the Falcons with a three-pointer to give Messiah the 61-58 lead. After Alvernia regained the lead with two free throws and a jumper, Zach McDonough drained a three-pointer with 1:57 to play, giving Messiah a 64-62 lead. The Golden Wolves sank one of two free throws with just over a minute to play before calling a timeout moments later with the Falcons holding a slim 64-63 lead. Out of the timeout, Messiah stole the inbound from the Golden Wolves but failed to capitalize on the possession. In transition with ten seconds remaining, Alvernia turned the ball over and sent Colin Sareyka to the line. Sareyka sank both free throws, giving Messiah a 66-63 lead. After two Messiah timeout's following Sareyka's free throws, fouls controlled the result of the game as both teams went back and forth from foul line to foul line. Colin Sareyka sank his last two free throws of the game to help the Falcons secure the eventual 68-63 lead.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will travel to Lycoming College on Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m. for their fourth MAC Commonwealth matchup of the season.