Box Score

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – With nine 3-pointers in the first half, Messiah College was able to build up an eight-point halftime lead and by using the league’s top defense, the Falcons were able to post a 60-52 Commonwealth Conference win over the Lycoming College men’s basketball team on Wednesday night, Jan. 18.
                        
The Warriors (14-2 overall, 4-1 Commonwealth) struggled from the field in the second half, hitting just five field goals, but managing to work within five points with 1:16 seconds left before Messiah (10-5 overall, 4-1 Commonwealth) closed the game by hitting four free throws to close out the win.
 
The two teams played evenly for much of the first 12 minutes of the game, with neither team taking more than a five-point lead until Brad Bolen hit three of his five first-half 3-pointers in a row to start a 12-point run that gave Lycoming a 36-24 lead with 3:14 left. The Warriors scored the next six points to cut the lead to eight points at halftime at 38-30.
 
Messiah got the lead to as many as 20 points at 50-30 with 12:46 left before the Warriors mounted a comeback by posting a 21-6 run to come within five points after a pair of free throws from junior Ihsaan Davis (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King).
 
The Warriors were led by 11 points and five assists by junior Jerald Williams (Riverdale, Md./Bladensberg) and 10 points and five assists from senior Mike Bradley (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep). Sophomore Michael Rudy (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) added nine points and sophomore Kevin Anthony (Columbus, Ohio/Bridgton Academy) added seven points, six rebounds and two steals.
 
Lycoming posted a 25-14 advantage in points in the paint and 19-12 in points off turnovers, but the Falcons 33 points on 3-pointers and a tough defense that led Lycoming shoot just 34 percent (16-of-47) from the floor.
 
Bolen led the Falcons with 20 points and five rebounds and Derek Mosley notched 15 points and five rebounds. Christyan DeVan led the team with five assists and David Fernandez notched eight points, seven rebounds and three steals.
 
The Warriors get back on the floor when they head to Widener on Saturday, Jan. 21, for an important conference showdown. Tip is set for 3 p.m. with the women’s game preceding at 1 p.m.