GRANTHAM, Pa. – Messiah Men's Basketball traveled to Hood College Wednesday evening for a matchup against the Blazers, falling 106-73. The Falcons started quick, but a 12-0 run in the first half gave Hood a lead that they continued to grow, winning comfortably. Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 24 points and five rebounds. Avery Kopcha had 15 points on five three-pointers, shooting 50 percent from behind the arc. Johnny McBride had 12 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons close out the season on the road at Alvernia University on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3:00 p.m.
 
First Half
Caleb Lyles scored five quick points jump the Falcons out to a 5-3 lead. Hood found their rhythm over the next four minutes, using a 12-0 run to take a 15-5 lead with 14:50 to play in the half. Freddy Herbst scored to stop the run, following up with the Falcons next five points to make it 18-12, Hood. Miles Longacre, Caleb Lyles, and Jordan Edwards-Saliu all scored over the next few Falcon possessions, but the Hood lead grew to 15 points. Avery Kopcha hit two threes over the next four minutes, but Hood continued to push the pace, leading 45-25 with 4:54 remaining in the half. Miles Longacre and Jack Rushe both scored for Messiah in final few minutes of the half, but Hood took a 60-30 lead into the break.
 
Second Half
Caleb Lyles and Avery Kopcha hit early threes for the Falcons to start the half. Lyles and Jordan Edwards-Saliu both hit a pair of free throws over the next few minutes for the Falcons, and Kopcha hit two more threes, but the Falcons still trailed 74-48 with 13:57 to play. Freddy Herbst and Caleb Lyles both scored four points for the Falcons over the next five minutes. Johnny McBride scored the next six points for Messiah, followed by a three from Lyles, but the Blazers led 102-65 with 4:39 left in the half. McBride and Lyles both scored in the final four minutes, but Hood held on to win 106-73.
 
Stats
Caleb Lyles led the Falcons with 24 points and five rebounds. Avery Kopcha had 15 points on five three-pointers, shooting 50 percent from behind the arc. Johnny McBride had 12 points. Freddy Herbst added 11 points.
 
Up Next
The Falcons close out the season on the road at Alvernia University on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3:00 p.m.