GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah men's basketball team picked up a 89-69 win over Clarks Summit University Friday night in Hitchcock Arena to move onto the Tip-Off Tournament championship game against Randolph-Macon College. Three Falcons scored in double-digits in this one, with EJ Porter leading the team with 22 points, Colin Sareyka adding 18, and Nate Eberle chimed in with 10. The Falcons had a great night from downtown, shooting 48.1% and making 13 threes in the game.

Despite a slow start to the first half, Messiah picked it up and took a 14 point lead into halftime. They kept it rolling in the second half en route to their 89-69 victory. This win moves Messiah to 2-0 on the season as they will take on Randolph-Macon in the Tip-Off Tournament championship game tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Electric Start
In front of a big crowd in their home opener in Hitchcock Arena, the Falcons got the fans excited early on. After hitting a clutch three-pointer to send the Falcons to overtime in an eventual 78-75 victory Tuesday night over Catholic, EJ Porter got Messiah going in this one with a three pointer to take the early 3-0 lead. It didn't take long for Nate Eberle to join the party and hit a three pointer to give Messiah a 6-0 lead.

Defenders Find Their Way Back
The Falcons continued to roll after a Colin Sareyka three made it 9-3. This is where the Defenders began to find their rhythm. They hit a few buckets to make it 11-7 before keeping the pressure on Messiah and eventually tying the game at 13-13 with 13:37 left in the half. From this point in the half, neither the Falcons nor Defenders could gain an edge.

This was until Cam Carter made a bucket for Messiah to make it 28-25 in favor of the Falcons. This started a 12-3 Messiah run to give them a 37-28 lead with 5:27 left in the first half. They continued to extend their lead throughout the rest of the first half, taking a 45-31 lead into the break. Messiah shot 41.18% from behind the arc in the first half, making seven three-pointers in the half.

Consistent Offense
Porter kept things rolling for Messiah at the start of the second half, drilling a three to make it 48-31. They continued to hold onto this lead during the half, never leading by less than 11 points. Every time the Defenders tried to fight their way back into the game, the Falcons had an answer.

A Trice High three cut the lead to 62-50 before Messiah responded with a 5-0 stretch to extend their lead back out to 67-50 with 8:27 to play. Leading the way during the run was Josh Darville, who picked up a bucket and two free throws. Darville scored seven points in the contest and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Falcons. With the Falcons holding a 70-52 lead with 6:54 left to play, freshman Christian Reames checked in for his first time as a Falcon. It didn't take long for Reames to acquaint himself with the Falcon faithful, immediately picking up a bucket to make it 72-54. Reames ended his first college game with six points, two rebounds and two assists.

The Falcons were able to eventually pick up an 89-69 win over the Defenders.

Inside The Box Score
All available players saw the court for Messiah in this one, with twelve players recording at least one point in the contest. As mentioned, EJ Porter led the team with 22 points, making six threes. Darville led the team with ten rebounds, while Sareyka dished out six assists to lead the team.

What's Up Next
As mentioned, Messiah will be right back on the court tomorrow afternoon against Randolph-Macon in the Tip-Off Tournament championship game at 3:00 p.m. The Yellow Jackets picked up a 54-50 victory earlier in the evening over Ursinus to set up their date with the Falcons.