GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday evening, the Messiah men's basketball team dropped a conference match up to the Spartans of York College. Throughout the first half Messiah looked just one step behind the Spartans offensively. Despite solid offense from Johnny McBride and Christian Jackson, York forced Caleb Lyles in foul trouble and put their first on the gas in the final six minutes to enter the breakup 49-31. Coming out of the break the Falcons traded points with the Spartans through the first four minutes but still found themselves trailing big. Over a six-minute stretch, York pushed the pace and extended their lead to as big as 73-47 with just under 10 minutes to play. However, inspired play from the Falcons allowed Messiah to make it a game going on a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to cut the deficit to 77-64. Over the final two minutes, Messiah managed to make it an eight-point game trailing 79-71, but the comeback fell short dropping the contest 81-71.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will host Stevenson University Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:00p.m.
 
How It Happened
First Half
The Spartans were able to jump ahead early, grabbing an 8-4 lead despite points from Cole Fisher and Johnny McBride. Messiah would pick it up on the offensive end thanks to Caleb Lyles four points and a Christian Jackson layup to cut the Spartans lead to 15-12. However, over a one-minute stretch, the Spartans would use a 9-2 run to open the lead to a 10-point differential 24-14. Jordan Edwards-Saliu would break up the run, followed by a Ben Wert three to make it a 26-19 game with seven minutes to go. Over the next two minutes, McBride took advantage of missed communication on the Spartans end for an easy four points, along with an Avery Kopcha free throw to make it a 34-24 lead. Following an 8-0 York run, McBride would once again score back-to-back points to keep Messiah in the game. However, the Spartans closed out the half scoring six of the final nine points to enter the break leading 49-31.
 
Second Half
Through the opening four three minutes the Falcons were able to use some solid offense from Jackson, Fisher, and Lyles to cut the Spartans lead to 53-37. However, a York 8-2 run created a 22-point cushion for the Spartans. Lyles and Cameron Thompson would both knock down threes to provide some life for the Falcons, but another run from the Spartans once again forced Messiah to trail in the double digits. Messiah would turn it around with an 9-4 run with scores from Wert, and Michael Bischoping with seven minutes remaining. Over the next five minutes the Falcons started to capitalize on the free throw line along with points from Luke Hostetler and Fisher to cut the score to 77-64. Following a couple fouls from both teams leading to technical fouls, the Spartans still found themselves leading 79-66 with 56 seconds remaining. Coming out of a timeout a Wert three gave Messiah late life only trailing by ten points. However, the deficit was too much to overcome as the Falcons fell to the Spartans 81-71.
 
Stats
Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 13 points, while Johnny McBride (12), Ben Wert (11), Christian Jackson (11), and Cole Fisher (10) all notched double digit points. Jackson led the Falcons in assists (6), rebounds (4), and steals (2).
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will take on Stevenson University Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:00PM in their final home game of the season.