GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah men's basketball team held on late for a 73-71 victory over the Hood Blazers in their first game of the 2023 calendar year. Messiah led by as many as 13 points with just over three minutes to play in regulation, but had to hold on in the final minutes as the Blazers used a full-court press to spark their late charge.
 
Arkese Claiborne, Tyler Penley, and Evan Parker finished Wednesday's conference game in double-figures with Claiborne's 17 points leading all scorers. Penley dropped 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds while Parker knocked down four threes for 13 points on the night.
 
With the victory, Messiah moves to 7-6 on the season and 2-2 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons will be back in action this weekend when they travel to St. Davids, Pa. to take on the Eastern Eagles at 3:00 p.m. as they continue their conference slate.

Action
The first half was tightly contested through the first 15 minutes as the Falcons and Blazers were knotted at 21. Messiah opened up an eight point lead with under a minute to go but the Blazers brought the game to within five at the break. The Falcons led 33-28 in a fast paced first half.

In the second half, Messiah continued to maintain their lead and eventually opened up a 13-point advantage with just under five to go in the game. The Blazers kept hanging around and cut the deficit to three with under 30 seconds remaining. After free throws from Coletti the Falcons earned the conference win against the Blazers 73-71.

Stats
Arkese Claiborne led the Falcons with 17 points with Penley and Parker added 15 and 13 respectively. Penley led the team in rebounds with seven. The Falcons shot 40% from the field in the game and 32% from beyond the arc.

Up Next
The win brings the Falcons record to 7-6 and evens their conference mark at 2-2. They will travel to St. Davids, Pa. to take on the Eastern Eagles in another conference matchup. That game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3:00 PM.