GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah men's basketball team lost 75-60 in a close battle to the Yeomen of Oberlin College. The Falcons Faught hard late but could not get it done as the Yeomen hold off the late Falcon run. Bryce Coletti led the Falcons with 15 points, and six assists. Ethan Johnson added another 12 points in the lost.
 
The Falcons will be back in action Tuesday Nov 21 against Penn St. Harrisburg. Tip-off is set for 7:00p.m in Middletown, Pa.
 
A Competitive First Half
The Yeomen got off to an early 6-0 lead on the Falcons. However, Cole fisher, and Dylan Cuperus made a couple baskets to cut the lead to 8-5 early in the first half. The Falcons continued to battle throughout the half matching the scoring of the Yeomen. Around the 12-minute mark, Messiah would find their first lead of the game with a mid-range jump shot from Caleb Thompson. Oberlin wasn't going away, as they continued to find baskets around the rim. However, a couple of big points down the stretch from Johnson, Coletti, and Lyles the Falcons would find themselves in a 31-31 game with 1 minute remaining in the half. Oberlin would close the half scoring the next three points giving them a 34-31 lead at half.
 
Second Half Action
Through the first six minutes of the second half both teams would trade baskets, a Johnson three in transition would tie the game at 42 with 11 minutes remaining. However, the Yeomen would begin the pickup momentum. Grabbing a 11-point lead, their largest of the game with six minutes remaining in the game. Messiah did not go away quietly despite not scoring over a four-minute stretch, the Falcons clawed their way to a 64-62 game with three minutes left in the game. Cuperus, Coletti, and Evan Parker had huge points down the stretch for Messiah. The effort would not be enough, as the Yeomen pulled away late escaping Grantham with a 75-60 win.
 
Whats Up Next
The Falcons will be on the road against Penn St. Harrisburg, Tuesday Nov 21 at 7:00p.m.