GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University men's basketball team second-half comeback attempt fell short in the 60-53 loss to Eastern University on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons fell behind in the first half 35-25, after the Eagles went on a 16-2 run to take control. The Falcons looked for a comeback in the second half, and cut the deficit to six with 4:31 remaining in the game, but the Eagles responded with a 7-2 run to cut the Falcons comeback attempt off and win 60-53. Dylan Cuparus led the Falcons with 11 points and nine rebounds. Johnny McBride added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
 
The Falcons finished the 2023-24 season with a 6-19 record and a 2-12 record in MAC Commonwealth play.

First Half
The Eagles got off to a fast start taking a quick 8-2 advantage. The Falcons would respond with a 12-0 run with baskets from Caleb Thompson, Johnny McBride, and Christian Jackson to take a 14-10 lead through the first 10 minutes of action. Over the next five minutes Messiah would manage to slow down the Eagles offense but still found themselves down 24-19 with 5:07 remaining in the half. From then on, the Eagles found a groove extending their lead to as large as 11. Eastern managed to slow down the Falcons offensively, entering the half up 35-25.
 
Second Half Push Comes up Short
Evan Parker opened the scoring for the Falcons with a quick three to cut the deficit to 37-28. Bryce Coletti followed that up knocking down two free throws cutting the Eagles lead to 38-30 with 14 minutes remaining in the game. However, that is when the Eagles took a commanding 17-point lead scoring the next nine points to take a 47-30 lead with 10:53 left on the clock. Dylan Cuperus would begin the run for the Falcons, followed up by points from McBride, and Coletti to bring the score to 49-42 with just six minutes remaining in the game. Messiah did everything they could to stay in the game however, the Eastern offense proved to be too much as the Eagles left Grantham with a 60-53 victory.
 
The Falcons ended their season 6-19 and 2-12 in the conference. Senior Guard Bryce Coletti finished the season leading the team averaging 11.8 points per game and 2.8 assists. Senior Dylan Cuperus Finished his season averaging 6.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. Despite missing some time Evan Parker finished his season averaging 7.8 points per game, shooting .304% from three-point range.