CARLISLE, Pa. – The Messiah Men's Basketball team was on the road today at Dickinson College, falling to the Red Devils 94-76. The teams went back and forth to start the first half before the Red Devils built up a double-digit lead that they took into the half. The Falcons battled early in the second half, getting back within five points multiple times, but the Red Devils kept Messiah at bay, eventually building their lead back to win 94-76. Ben Wert had a team-high 14 points for Messiah. Johnny McBride had 12 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Edwards-Saliu had 12 points and six rebounds. Miles Longacre added 13 points Caleb Lyles had 12 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Lebanon Vallet College on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m. for their final game of 2025.
 
First Half
Johnny McBride scored three baskets for Messiah to start the game, as Dickinson jumped out to a 9-7 in the first four minutes. Jordan Edwards-Saliu knocked down a couple free throws and Miles Longacre added a bucket over the next few minutes for the Falcons, but the Red Devils still led by two, 13-11. The Red Devils would then go a an 11-2 run to take a 24-13 lead with 8:50 to go in the half. Ben Wert scored three straight buckets for Messiah, but Dickinson remained hot on the offensive side, leading 32-19. Caleb Lyles scored five quick points for Messiah and Myles Herbert added a layup to back within 10 points, trailing 34-25 with 3:58 left in the half. Ben Wert and Miles Lonagacre each hit a three, and Jordan Edwards-Saliu finished at the rim, but the Red Devils got their lead back to double-digits, going into the halftime break up 48-36.
 
Second Half
Ben Wert hit a three to start the half to make it 48-39. Jordan Edwards-Saliu added a quick basket, but the Red Devils couldn't miss on the offensive side, building the lead back to 13 points, up 54-41 with 17:48 to go. Messiah would quickly get back in the game after stacking defensive stops to help go on a nine-point run to make it 54-50. During the run, Johnny McBride finished in the paint, Jordan Edwards-Saliu finished through contact and converted the free throw for an and-one, and Caleb Lyles added four points off a bucket and couple free throws. However, the Red Devils offense didn't stay quiet long, responding with a 9-2 run to push the lead back to double digits with 13:27 to play. Avery Kopcha hit a jumper, but Dickinson responded with a couple free throws, still leading by 11, up 65-54 with 12:52 to play. However, the Falcons would use another big run, scoring eight straight points to make it a three-point game with 10:17 left in the half. During this run, Miles Longacre had six points and Caleb Lyles added two in the paint. This was the closest Messiah would get, as the Red Devils would outscore the Falcons 21-6 over the next seven minutes to make it 86-68. Jordan Edwards-Saliu added one more bucket and Avery Kopcha hit two three-pointers, but the Red Devils would hold on to win 94-76.
 
Stats
Ben Wert had a team-high 14 points for Messiah. Johnny McBride had 12 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Edwards-Saliu had 12 points and six rebounds. Miles Longacre added 13 points Caleb Lyles had 12 points. Avery Kopcha added eight points. The Falcons shot 47.5 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from three. The Red Devils shot 45.1 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three.
 
Up Next
The Falcons travel to Lebanon Vallet College on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m. for their final game of 2025.