MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - The Messiah men's basketball team fell to the Lions of Penn St. Harrisburg 80-73. The Falcons fought hard, but the Lions outscored the Falcons 43-30 in the second half, giving them the victory. Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 20 points and five assists, while Evan Parker added 14 points, knocking down four threes.
 
The Falcons will be back home on Nov 30 against Notre Dame of Maryland University. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena.
 
Falcons' Strong First Half
Through the first three minutes of the half, the Falcons found themselves trailing 8-3. However, Cole Fisher, and Caleb Lyles found the bottom of the net cutting the lead to 8-6. Following a Lyles three to take their first lead of the game at 12-10, the Falcons would continue to hold off the Lions for the remainder of the half. Ethan Johnson, Bryce Coletti, Fisher, and Lyles would all score for the Falcons giving them a 33-22 lead their largest of the game, with six minutes remaining. Messiah continued to dominate on the offense end, finishing the half up 43-37.
 
Slow Second Half
To begin the half Parker came out the gate knocking down a three, extending the lead to 11. However, the Lions would prove to be a second-half team and would begin to claw their way back into the game cutting the Falcon lead to 48-46. Lyles continued his hot shooting, sinking another three putting the score at 51-46 with 16 minutes left in the game. However, the Falcons got cold, and over the next two minutes, the Lions took advantage, cutting the lead to just one. With 14 left on the clock, the score was 54-43 Messiah. The game stayed close until the six-minute mark when the Lions began to pull ahead. Following two missed threes from Parker, and Coletti the Lions found themselves up 70-63. The Falcons could not find a spark late, as the Lions escaped with an 80-73 victory.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back home on Nov 30 against Notre Dame of Maryland at 7:00 p.m.