GRANTHAM, Pa. - A late comeback for the Messiah men's basketball team fell just short against the Arcadia Knights on Saturday night with the Falcons falling by a 78-72 final. Messiah trailed 41-16 at the half and rallied all the way back to pull within three in the final 90 seconds of play, but could not pull off the comeback.
 
Colin Sareyka led the Falcons with 32 points, going 10-23 from the field, including a 6-13 effort from beyond the arc. Josh Darville collected a big double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Off the bench, Will Young IV picked up 13 points on a strong 5-7 effort from the field.
 
Messiah will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Hood for a MAC Commonwealth contest at 6:00 p.m.
 
Shooting Woes
The Falcons had a tough time from the field in the first half, shooting just 12.5% from the field and 6.67% from beyond the arc. The Knights took a 12-0 lead to start the first half before a Will Young IV pair of free throws got Messiah on the board with 12:16 remaining in the first half.

Messiah continued to struggle throughout the remainder of the first half, as Arcadia knocked down eight three pointers in the first twenty minutes and shot 42.11% from the three-point line. The Knights shot an even 50% from the field, as they took a 41-16 lead into the break.

Second Half Fireworks
The second half was much different as the Falcons came out rolling. Messiah began the half on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to 41-27. Josh Darville led the charge with five points.

Messiah continued to chip into the lead over the next few minutes, forcing an Arcadia timeout after a Colin Sareyka three cut the lead to just 11 at 46-35. The Falcons could not quite get over the hump as they got to within 10 on several occasions, but could not get within single digits.

This changed after a Will Young IV layup made it 60-52 with 5:24 remaining. The lead was cut to six two different times over the next three minutes of the game. This was before a huge Sareyka three cut the lead to just three at 69-66 and sent Hitchcock Arena into a frenzy.

This was as close as the Falcons would get though, as Arcadia knocked down their free throws down the stretch. A late Sareyka three would get Messiah within four, but it was not enough as the Falcons fell 78-72.

Sareyka would end the night with a game-high 32 points to lead Messiah while knocking down six threes in the game. Josh Darville would earn his seventh double-double of the season after scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Honoring Jack Cole
It was a special night at Hitchcock Arena as Falcon director of athletics Jack Cole was being honored after announcing his retirement from Messiah College after 35 years of service to the institution.

Many of Jack's former students, family, friends, and athletes were in attendance for his special night. Jack has spent the last ten years as the director of athletics. There was a special ceremony at halftime honoring Jack and his many accomplishments to Messiah.

What's Up Next
The Falcons drop to 9-11 after the loss and 2-9 in the MAC Commonwealth. They will be back in action Wednesday night when they travel to Frederick, Md. to take on the Hood Blazers at 6:00 p.m. Their last meeting with the Blazers came on Jan. 15 when they fell at home 78-63.