Jan 29, 2014
Box Score (XML) | Box Score (HTML)
GRANTHAM, Pa. – Commonwealth Conference leader and 22nd-ranked Messiah escaped a seven-point second-half deficit against upset-minded Elizabethtown Wednesday evening at Brubaker Auditorium, outscoring the Blue Jays 40-18 over the final 12:51 to earn an 80-65 victory in the final conference game between the two storied rivals.
The Blue Jays once again got solid productivity from the post, where Andrew Mantz earned his fifth double-double of the season and Lee Eckert hit four buckets and all four of his free throws to score 12 points.
Mantz's first of two 3-pointers on the night gave Elizabethtown (7-11, 4-7 CC) an early 9-4 lead. The Falcons countered in short order with treys from Zac Hoy and Taylor Groff surrounding a David Fernandez dunk during a 7-0 run that had Messiah ahead at the 13:20 mark.
Messiah maintained its lead into the final minutes of the first half, with E-town only able to tie the game three different times until taking a 32-29 edge at halftime on Tyler Simpkiss' 3-pointer 54 seconds from the horn.
Seeking its first win over a ranked opponent since 2003, Elizabethtown started the second half with a 12-6 run to lead by nine, 44-35. At times, the Blue Jays were able to seemingly able to do whatever they wanted against a Messiah defense third in the league in scoring defense.
Eckert and Mantz scored two baskets each, with Wenger and Simpkiss adding one apiece as E-town hit six of its first eight shots in the half to take the nine-point advantage.
An upset and halt of an eight-game skid against their rivals were still very real possibilities for the blue and gray when Mantz knocked down another 3-pointer to make it 47-40 with 12:51 to go. The center, without a three to his name in three seasons, has hit six this winter.
For Elizabethtown, the final 13 minutes would become a blur, as the Falcons (15-2, 9-2 CC) hit 12 of their final 20 shots along with six of their 11 3-pointers. Messiah also hit 10 of its last 12 free throws.
While Messiah scored as many points in the final 12:51 that it had scored in the first 27:09, the Blue Jays missed five of their next 10 shots and gave away the ball six times. Brad Bolen's layup with 4:35 left put Messiah up 68-53.
Mantz scored 16 points, pulled down nine of his 10 rebounds on the defensive end and blocked three shots. Eckert's 12 points signaled his 10th straight game in double figures and team-leading 17th game this season.
Wenger chipped in 15 points, four assists and three steals, while Will Schlosser scored nine of his 12 points in the second half on 3-of-3 shooting from deep.
David Fernandez knocked down a game-high seven shots for Messiah to lead all scorers with 22 points. Fernandez has scored 15 points or more against the Blue Jays four of the last five times he's faced them.
Brothers Scott and Brad Bolen combined for 29 points. Scott was the most productive Falcon off the bench with 16 points and eight rebounds. Brad scored 13 points, while collecting seven boards and seven helpers. All 15 of Groff's points came off five 3-pointers and Hoy had 12, as four of Messiah's five starters eclipsed double figures.
Elizabethtown will try to even its road record Saturday when it heads to Lebanon Valley for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
GRANTHAM, Pa. – Commonwealth Conference leader and 22nd-ranked Messiah escaped a seven-point second-half deficit against upset-minded Elizabethtown Wednesday evening at Brubaker Auditorium, outscoring the Blue Jays 40-18 over the final 12:51 to earn an 80-65 victory in the final conference game between the two storied rivals.
The Blue Jays once again got solid productivity from the post, where Andrew Mantz earned his fifth double-double of the season and Lee Eckert hit four buckets and all four of his free throws to score 12 points.
Mantz's first of two 3-pointers on the night gave Elizabethtown (7-11, 4-7 CC) an early 9-4 lead. The Falcons countered in short order with treys from Zac Hoy and Taylor Groff surrounding a David Fernandez dunk during a 7-0 run that had Messiah ahead at the 13:20 mark.
Messiah maintained its lead into the final minutes of the first half, with E-town only able to tie the game three different times until taking a 32-29 edge at halftime on Tyler Simpkiss' 3-pointer 54 seconds from the horn.
Seeking its first win over a ranked opponent since 2003, Elizabethtown started the second half with a 12-6 run to lead by nine, 44-35. At times, the Blue Jays were able to seemingly able to do whatever they wanted against a Messiah defense third in the league in scoring defense.
Eckert and Mantz scored two baskets each, with Wenger and Simpkiss adding one apiece as E-town hit six of its first eight shots in the half to take the nine-point advantage.
An upset and halt of an eight-game skid against their rivals were still very real possibilities for the blue and gray when Mantz knocked down another 3-pointer to make it 47-40 with 12:51 to go. The center, without a three to his name in three seasons, has hit six this winter.
For Elizabethtown, the final 13 minutes would become a blur, as the Falcons (15-2, 9-2 CC) hit 12 of their final 20 shots along with six of their 11 3-pointers. Messiah also hit 10 of its last 12 free throws.
While Messiah scored as many points in the final 12:51 that it had scored in the first 27:09, the Blue Jays missed five of their next 10 shots and gave away the ball six times. Brad Bolen's layup with 4:35 left put Messiah up 68-53.
Mantz scored 16 points, pulled down nine of his 10 rebounds on the defensive end and blocked three shots. Eckert's 12 points signaled his 10th straight game in double figures and team-leading 17th game this season.
Wenger chipped in 15 points, four assists and three steals, while Will Schlosser scored nine of his 12 points in the second half on 3-of-3 shooting from deep.
David Fernandez knocked down a game-high seven shots for Messiah to lead all scorers with 22 points. Fernandez has scored 15 points or more against the Blue Jays four of the last five times he's faced them.
Brothers Scott and Brad Bolen combined for 29 points. Scott was the most productive Falcon off the bench with 16 points and eight rebounds. Brad scored 13 points, while collecting seven boards and seven helpers. All 15 of Groff's points came off five 3-pointers and Hoy had 12, as four of Messiah's five starters eclipsed double figures.
Elizabethtown will try to even its road record Saturday when it heads to Lebanon Valley for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
