GRANTHAM, PA. - The Messiah Men's basketball team hosted the Alvernia Golden Wolves in their third conference game. The Golden Wolves edged out the Falcons 89-85 in overtime to drop the Falcons to 4-10 on the season and 0-3 in conference play. Dylan Cuperus led the Falcons with 21 points and nine rebounds. Cole Fisher (12), Caleb Lyles (11), and Bryce Coletti (10) all finished in double digits for Messiah.
The Falcons will host the York College Spartans on Saturday evening.
A Foul Infested First Half
The Golden Wolves got out to a quick 11-5 lead through the first four minutes of the game. However, the Falcons came soaring back with a and-one basket from Bryce Coletti, a three-pointer from Dylan Cuperus, and a basket from Cole Fisher to bring the score to 11-10. From that point on both teams would exchange blows with neither team giving ground. The Falcons would find themselves up 18-16 following another Cuperus basket with 10 minutes remaining. However, fouls would plague the Falcons sending the Golden Wolves to the charity stripes 14 times throughout the half keeping the game within reach. Over the next seven minutes, both teams would continue to trade baskets with Cuperus leading the way with 13 points, and getting contributions from Christian Jackson, Caleb Lyles, Fisher, and Coletti to tie the game at 39-39 with two minutes left. Following a 5-2 run from Alvernia to grab a 44-39 lead, the Falcons responded finishing the half on an 8-3 run to take a 47-46 advantage heading into the locker room.
Contested Second Half
Through the first three minutes of play, the Falcons would extend their lead to 55-46, with baskets from Fisher, Coletti, and Evan Parker. Messiah would keep the Golden Wolves at bay continuing to score on the offensive end to bring the score to 63-54 their largest lead of the game with 13 minutes remaining. However, the Golden Wolves would go on a 10-3 run to cut the Falcon lead to 65-64 with 11:33 on the clock. From that point on each team would exchange baskets, with neither team grabbing more than a two-point lead. Until a Cuperus basket with four minutes remaining would give the Falcons a 76-72 advantage. Alvernia did not go away despite Messiah continuing to find the bottom of the net, and with 1:51 left in the game, a Golden Wolf layup would tie the game at 78-78. That would prove to be enough as neither team could mustard up another point sending the game to overtime.
Coming Up Just Short
The Falcons got off to a good start getting two quick baskets from Lyles giving them an 82-78 lead within the first 1:12 of overtime. Alvernia responded well sinking a three-pointer, and a layup to regain an 83-82 lead. Cuperus would go one for one-at the charity stripe to tie the game at 83-83. Thompson would sink two free throws giving the Falcons an 85-83 lead with two minutes left on the clock. However, those would be the final points the Falcons would score. The Golden Wolves closed out the game by scoring the last six points giving them an 89-85 victory against Messiah.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday, January 13th against the York College Spartans. Tip-off from Jordan Court is set for 4:00 p.m.