GRANTHAM, Pa. - Hood College closed the game with a 16-5 run but it was not enough as Messiah University held on to defeat the Blazers 73-71 in Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth men's basketball action. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Garrison Linton (New Market, Md./Oakdale) and Trumaine Strickland (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) tied for the team high with 15 points apiece. Linton shot 6-of-12 and led the team with both his seven rebounds and six assists. 
• Jack Fricka (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) scored a career-high 14 points on just eight field goal attempts, converting five. 
• Soren Almquist (Oakton, Va./James Madison) blocked two shots. 

How it Happened

• After a bucket by Arkese Claiborne with 3:11 left in the game gave Messiah a 13-point lead, 68-55, Hood's defense did not allow another field goal as the Blazers attempted a comeback. 
• Strickland started the rally with a driving layup. Hood eventually pulled within 68-64 after another lay in from Strickland with 1:09 on the clock before Claiborne was fouled and hit a pair of free throws for the Falcons.
• Tyler Penley's foul shot stretched the Messiah edge to 71-64 with 35 seconds left but Hood had another rally left. 
• Strickland was fouled at the other end and hit both free throws. Linton stole the ball after the inbounds pass and got the ball to Christopher Smalls (Washington, D.C./St. Andrew's Episcopal), was fouled. Smalls knocked down both shots from the line and the Blazers trailed just 71-68 with 28 seconds remaining. 
• Cole Fisher missed a pair of free throws on Messiah's next possession, but Linton's shot was off the mark on Hood's return trip with 10 seconds left.
• Two free throws by Bryce Coletti extended the lead to five, rendering a late 3-pointer from Linton moot. 
• Messiah had built its 13-point lead thanks to a 13-4 run that ended with Hood's late charge. 
• In the first half, a 9-0 run over a span of four minutes turned a 13-9 deficit into an 18-13 lead after a basket by Linton with 8:46 to go. 
• A Claiborne 3-pointer halted Hood's run and started a 17-5 stretch for the Falcons, who led 33-28 at halftime. 

Analysis

• One game after making 20 shots from 3-point range, Hood could not find its rhythm and made just 5-of-27. 
• The two teams combined to shot 54 free throws in the contest. Messiah struggled from the line at just 19-of-33, while the Blazers went 16-for-21. 
• Hood was at its best when able to play up tempo, holding a 24-12 edge in fastbreak points.

For the Opponent

• Claiborne scored a game-high 17 points for Messiah on 6-of-11 shooting. 
• Penley added 15 and Evan Parker scored 14 to give the Falcons three players in double figures. 
• Jack Ramsey grabbed seven rebounds and Coletti finished with nine assists. 

Notes

• Hood fell to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference. 
• Messiah improved to 7-6 and 2-2. 

Up Next 
The Blazers return to the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center on Saturday, January 7 against Widener.