Grantham, PA – Messiah College used a pivotal second-half run to back a gritty win over Hood College on Wednesday and stay unbeaten at 8-0. Brad Bolen led all scorers with 30 points on 9-17 shooting, including his 1,000th career point with the Falcons.
 
The 8-0 start for Messiah matches a program record, accomplished twice before in each 1978-79 and 1979-80. The win also moved them to 4-0 in the Commonwealth Conference.
 
Despite the shining record, the Falcons have been playing close games. They entered Wednesday's match-up after winning their four previous contests by no more than eight points and, from the get-go against the Blazers, it was apparent Messiah would again need to battle to a close decision.
 
Hood displayed an aggressive full-court and three-quarter court trap for most of the night and benefitted from the end-to-end play. Cameron Cook started the game with a three-pointer from the right wing and soon the Blazers were up 9-1. After a timeout Messiah settled down, scoring six-straight points to come within 9-7 at the 14:24 mark.
 
The Falcons tied the score four times before taking their first lead, an advantage of 25-22 off a transition three-pointer from Bolen. The bucket also gave Bolen exactly 1,000 points in his career and forced a Hood timeout; Bolen became the 22nd player in Messiah men's basketball history to reach the milestone.
 
Hood responded with more of the same pressure and aggressiveness in the full-court, and soon went back in front 30-27 on a three-pointer by Justin Bowens with 1:31 left. The shot from deep was their fifth of the half, though they would only shoot 7-21 from three for the game.
 
The Blazers eventually took a 30-29 lead into the intermission.
 
Hood continued their pressure at the start of the second-half and continued to reap its benefits. With just under 18 minutes to play the Falcons' 12th turnover of the night led to a spot-up three in transition for Cook, putting Hood up 36-31.
 
Bolen responded quickly with a three-pointer of his own to cut into the score, and a few possessions later his tough driving finish on the right side gave the Falcons a momentary one-point lead. Hood quickly regained the lead on pull-up jumper by Davon Hill, and they soon went up 47-42 with back-to-back scores in transition.
 
At that point, however, Messiah went on a loud 15-2 run. Taylor Groff started the streak with three off a flare screen, and Scott Bolen quickly tied the game with a post score on the Falcons' next possession.
 
On the ensuing defensive stand Groff drew a charge to give the ball back to Messiah. After a Hood timeout, Messiah broke the press to find Brad Bolen down court for a bucket and the foul. His free-throw put Messiah up 53-47, and the hosts soon followed with four more points from the line for a 57-49 lead.
 
Despite giving up the lead, Hood continued to play with aggression. Tanner Ruths' three-pointer drew the Blazers to within 57-54 at the 4:30 mark and, after Messiah went up 61-54, Chris Cook collected a three-point play in the paint by way of an up-and-under move against Scott Bolen.
 
Soon leading by a 63-59 margin with under three minutes to play, Brad Bolen beat the shot clock on the right side with a runner to put Messiah up six. Two defensive possessions later—while holding a 65-61 lead with 1:20 to play—the Falcons came up with their biggest defensive stand, forcing a shot clock violation from the Blazers.
 
In the final minute Messiah made five of six free-throws to hold Hood at bay and secure the win.
 
Bolen also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while Taylor Groff (13) and Geoff Boyle (12) combined for 25 points and 13 rebounds. Zac Hoy finished with six points and three assists in a gritty effort off the bench. Messiah did finish with 20 turnovers—their fourth-straight game with at least 17 giveaways—to account for 26 Hood points, but the Falcons did score 19 points of their own off Hood's 16 turnovers.
 
Messiah also held advantages of 30-24 in the paint and 14-10 in transition.
 
Chris Cook led the Blazers with 13 points while Cameron Cook (10) and Davon Hill (11) also scored in double-figures. The loss drops Hood to 3-3 and 1-2 in the Commonwealth.
 
Messiah will have to wait for the chance to push their win-streak to nine games, as they will next play at Methodist University on Dec. 31 at 2:00 p.m.