St. Davids, Pa. – The Messiah Men's Basketball team was on the road on Wednesday night, falling in a conference matchup to the Eastern University Eagles, 90-57. The Eagles used a huge run to start the game, taking a comfortable lead into the half, and holding on to win. Johnny McBride led the Falcons with 23 points and eight rebounds. Ben Wert had nine points. Michael Bischoping had five points and five rebounds.
 
Up next, the Falcons are at home against the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 4:00 p.m.
 
First Half
Eastern opened the game with four quick points before Johnny McBride got a bucket to get the Falcons on the board. However, Eastern would respond to this basket with a 17-0 run to take a 21-2 lead. Declan Hersh hit a three to stop the run, followed by another basket from McBride to make it 21-7 with 12:40 to play in the half. Johnny McBride added two more baskets over the next four minutes, but Eastern still led, up 30-11. Ben Wert, Michael Bischoping, and McBride all added baskets for the Falcons in the final few minutes of the half, but the Eagles offense kept firing, taking a 56-24 lead into the break.
 
Second Half
Johnny McBride, Ben Wert, Caleb Lyles, and Jordan Edwards-Saliu all scored in the first four minutes of the half, but they Falcons couldn't chip away at the Eagles lead. Michael Bischoping hit a three and McBride scored three baskets during a 9-2 Messiah run, but the Eagles still led 71-40. Avery Kopcha, Myles Herbert, and Jack Rushe all scored for Messiah in the final few minutes, but the Eagles held on to win 90-57.
 
Stats
Johnny McBride led the Falcons with 23 points and eight rebounds. Ben Wert had nine points. Michael Bischoping had five points and five rebounds. Avery Kopcha added five points. Messiah shot 31.5 percent from the field and 13.8 percent from three. Eastern shot 48.6 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three.
 
Up Next
The Falcons are at home against the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 4:00 p.m.