GRANTHAM, PA. – On Tuesday evening, the Messiah men's basketball team pulled through late to defeat the Mustangs 76-71 in their final home game of the season. The First half was a back-and-forth affair, as both teams traded runs throughout its entirety. However, despite being tied at 34-34 with 2:45 to go in the half, Christian Jackson, Jordan Edwards-Saliu, Ben Wert, and Cole Fisher all knocked down shots to give Messiah the five point 39-34 lead at the break. The Mustangs came out strong in the second half, giving Messiah problems through the first six minutes. However, a 16-8 run from the Falcons allowed them to hold a 63-55 lead with seven minutes to go. Despite the big run, Stevenson remained composed using a 14-4 run of their own to regain a 69-67 advantage with just two minutes remaining. However, down the stretch, Messiah would use clutch free throws from Caleb Lyles and a fisher layup to score the final seven points a secure a 76-71 win at home.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will finish off the season against Eastern University Saturday, Feb. 22.
 
How It Happened
First Half
The Falcons got off to a strong start offensively shooting 6-8 from the field with two threes from Luke Hostetler and Christian Jackson to hold a 10-5 lead through the opening four minutes. Over the next five minutes, both teams exchanged baskets with Messiah narrowly leading 8-7 on the run but held the overall lead at 17-13. However, an 12-5 Stevenson run brought them back in the game to take a 25-22 lead with 6:40 to go. The Falcons would catch fire following the Mustang run as Cameron Thompson and Christian Jackson knocked down three straight threes. Stevenson remained composed using a 9-3 run to tie the game up at 34-34 with three minutes remaining. After the run, the Falcons would close out the half scoring the final five points to hold a 39-34 lead at the break.
 
Second Half
The Mustangs got out fast using a 9-2 run to narrowly hold a 43-41 lead through the opening four minutes. Over the next four minutes, the Falcons used a 14-4 run by forcing Stevenson in the bonus holding a 55-47 lead with 11 minutes to go.  Despite points from Cole Fisher, Jordan Edwards-Saliu, and Johnny McBride the Mustangs were able to chip away at the lead to make it a 63-59 game with 6:00 on the clock. Through a three-minute stretch of primarily free throws, the Mustangs made just enough baskets to take a 69-67 lead with two minutes remaining. Despite being in foul trouble for most of the game, Caleb Lyles came through big with an and-one opportunity with 1:29 to go but missed the free throw to keep the game tied at 69 all. Coming out of a Mustang timeout, Stevenson was able to get to the line to regain a 71-69 advantage. However, Fisher responded with a baseline layup to knot things up with 55 seconds remaining. After an offensive foul on the Mustangs, Lyles once again found himself at the free throw to regain a lead but went one for two at the line to hold a one point 72-71 lead. Following back-to-back turnovers from the Mustangs, Lyles capitalized at the free throw line to ice the game, giving Messiah the 76-71 win in their final home game of the season.
 
Stats
Christian Jackson and Caleb Lyles finished the game with 16 points apiece, while Jackson racked up a team high five assists. Johnny McBride tallied 10 points with seven rebounds, along with five different Falcons got in the score column.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will finish the regular season on the road against Eastern University Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4:00p.m.