GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah men's basketball team started the 2019 calendar year with an 82-72 victory over the Cairn Highlanders on Wednesday night, improving their record to 7-6 on the season. Led by Colin Sareyka's 19 points, Messiah had four players in double figures on the evening with EJ Porter (17 points), Cam Carter (10), and Kyle Krout (10) joining Sareyka with at least 10.
 
The Falcons will next take the floor on Saturday when they host the Wilkes Colonels at 2:00 p.m. on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.
 
Slow Start
The Falcons struck first with a three-pointer from EJ Porter but the Highlanders controlled the run of play for the next 10 minutes. Messiah trailed in those minutes by as much as eight points before cutting into the Cairn lead. A three-pointer from Will Young IV put the Falcons within five with the score set at 15-10 with 12:56 left to play in the first half. Moments later, Colin Sareyka chimed in with a three-pointer of his own to pull the Falcons within two points. Sareyka came through shortly after this play to tie the game at 15-15 with 10:09 left in the first half. 
 
With back and forth play, the Falcons earned a three-point lead with the score set at 18-15 but the two teams worked their way to a tie game just a minute later. With back and forth action continuing, Josh Darville, EJ Porter, Will Young IV, and Kyle Krout all recorded points to help give the Falcons an eight-point lead with just under four minutes left in the first half. The Highlanders fought back as they slowly chipped away at Messiah's lead, tying the game 32-32 to end the half.
 
Fast Finish
EJ Porter struck first in the second half giving Messiah a 34-32 lead but the Highlanders answered back just nine seconds later. Colin Sareyka tied the game up with a mid-range jumper to spark the Falcons' offense. EJ Porter drained a three-pointer with 16:29 left to play in the half but once again Cairn answered right back. Sam Whittle kept the fast-paced attack going for the Falcons, giving them a four-point lead. Kyle Krout chimed in with a three-pointer followed by a layup to give the Falcons five quick points and force a Cairn timeout. Out of the timeout the Falcons continued to expand their lead with a jumper from EJ Porter and a free throw from Cam Carter. 
 
With 12:44 to play in the second half, Messiah held a 50-10 lead over the Highlanders and didn't stop there. Over the next minute and a half, the Falcons utilized a jumper from Josh Darville, a three-pointer from Sam Whittle, and a free throw from Darville to take a 14-point lead over the Highlanders, their highest of the night. The Highlanders quickly battled back, cutting the Messiah lead to nine points but Will Young IV charged through the paint to make the lead double digits once again. After a Highlanders dunk, Cam Carter pulled up from beyond the arc to give Messiah the momentum again, setting the score at 61-50 with 6:52 left to play in the second half. Shortly after his three, Carter sank two free throws to extend the Falcons' lead to 63-50 with 5:53 remaining in the half.
 
Cairn sank a three-pointer to attempt to mount a comeback but EJ Porter answered right back with a three-pointer of his own. The Highlanders quickly earned four points to drop Messiah's lead to nine with just over 3:30 to play in the half but the Falcons' offense continued to push forward. Nate Eberle and Josh Darville both earned two points to give Messiah a 70-57 lead with 2:45 to play. In the closing minutes, Cairn's offense came in strong, utilizing heavy pressure to pull within five of Messiah. 
 
Shortly after working their way to a five-point deficit, the Highlanders were charged with two technical fouls that slowed their momentum. Messiah spent the last two minutes of the game at the free throw line and ended the game 82-72 to seal their victory.
 
What's Up Next
As mentioned, the Falcons will stay in Grantham for their next game when they host the Wilkes Colonels at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5.