GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday evening, the Messiah men's basketball team suffered an 78-62 loss to Moravian University to begin the new year. The Falcons looked strong throughout the first half, getting strong contribution from Caleb Lyles and Johnny McBride. However, the Moravian defense forced a couple of late Messiah turnovers, leading to the Greyhounds entering the half up 40-31. The Falcons managed to cut the lead to 10 in the first four minutes of second half play, but the Greyhounds offense went on a 15-2 run to extend their lead to 55-35. Despite some late success from Lyles, Cameron Thompson, and Cole Fisher to cut the deficit at 70-59, Moravian capped off the game on an 8-3 run to hand Messiah their first loss in 2025.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will open conference play at home against Albright College Wednesday, Jan. 8th.
 
First Half
Messiah found some early success offensively, as they trailed 11-9 following a Ben Wert three through the first five minutes of play. Over the next couple of possessions, Luke Hostetler, Cole Fisher, and Johnny McBride each provided some points to give Messiah the 18-17 lead with 11:13 on the clock. However, a 15-5 Moravian run put Messiah in a whole down 32-23 with just under five minutes to play in the half. Christian Jackson and Caleb Lyles stalled the Greyhound run to cut the deficit to 36-29. To finish the half following back-to-back baskets from Moravian, Fisher would knock down a tough layup for the Falcons to enter the half trailing 40-31.
 
Second Half
To begin the second half, Fisher would pick up where he left off knocking down a back door layup in hopes to spark a Falcon run. However, an 10-0 run from the Greyhounds put a halt to that to extend their lead to 52-33. Over the next four minutes of play, Cameron Thompson, and McBride provided the much-needed offense, but Messiah still found themselves trailing 61-38. However, with 10:21 on the clock, the Falcons were determined to make a run. Fisher, Thompson, and Wert would give Messiah a spark with a 6-0 run. Trailing 61-44, the Falcons needed to string some points together, after two straight baskets from Moravian, a 9-2 Messiah run gave them life down 68-53 with five minutes remaining. Avery Kopcha and Lyles responded well after two Greyhound free throws to cut the deficit to 70-59. However, despite the late run, Messiah was just a little too late, as Moravian closed out the game with a 8-3 run to hand Messiah their first loss in 2025.
 
Stats
Caleb Lyles led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds. Cole Fisher added a solid 14 points and five rebounds. Cameron Thompson provided a spark off the bench with seven points, along with Avery Kopchas five points.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will begin conference play against Albright College Wednesday, Jan. 8th at 7:30p.m.