GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah Men's Basketball team welcomed the Hornets of Shenandoah University to Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena on Wednesday night, falling 74-61. Both teams played strong defense in the first half, with the Hornets taking a 32-27 lead into halftime. The Hornets used a few big runs to pull away in the second half, winning 74-61. Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 16 points. Ben Wert and Avery Kopcha each added 11 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Wilson College on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3:00 p.m.
 
First Half
Caleb Lyles started the scoring with a three just under 30 seconds into the half. The Hornets went on a six-point run over the next four minutes, holding a 6-3 lead with 15:15 left in the half. Caleb Lyles stopped the run with a layup, and Avery Kopcha added a three as the teams traded baskets, with Shenandoah up 13-10 with 12:10 remaining in the half. The Falcons made a few free throws over the next few minutes, followed by a three from Ben Wert to give Messiah a 16-13 lead with 9:58 left in the half. Over the next three minutes, the Hornets used a seven-point run to take the lead back, 21-16. Miles Longacre stopped the run with a three, and Jordan Edwards-Saliu hit two free throws to tie the game 21-21 with 5:38 in the half. Caleb Lyles and Avery Kopcha each added another bucket for Messiah as the teams went back and forth over the next four minutes, with the score tied 26-26 and 1:34 left in the half. The Hornets would outscore the Falcons 6-1 to finish the half, taking a 32-27 lead into the half.
 
Second Half
Jordan Edwards-Saliu put four quick points up for Messiah to start the half, but the Hornets extended their lead to eight points, 39-31 with 16:12 left in the half. Johnny McBride and Ben Wert both added baskets for Messiah over the next three minutes, but the hot hand from three extended the Shenandoah lead to 12 points, up 49-37 with 13:16 to play. The Falcons began to cut into the Hornets lead, going on a 9-3 run over the following three minutes. During the run, Johnny McBride added two more buckets, Declan Hersh added two-points on a nice backdoor cut, and Avery Kopcha knocked down two free throws. However, the Hornets would respond well, outscoring the Falcons 9-2 over the next 2:30 to build the lead back up, leading 63-48 with 7:15 left in the half. Johnny McBride would add another bucket, and Avery Kopcha would hit from three, but the Hornets pushed the lead to 19 points over the next three minutes, leading 72-53 with 3:41 left in the half. Caleb Lyle and Ben Wert each added four more points for the Falcons over the last three minutes, but Messiah would fall 74-61.
 
Stats
Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 16 points. Ben Wert and Avery Kopcha each added 11 points. Jordan Edwards-Saliu had nine points and seven rebounds. Johnny McBride had eight points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Messiah shot 37.1 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from three. Shenandoah shot 43.3 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three.
 
Up Next
The Falcons travel to Wilson College on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3:00 p.m.