Moravian, now 8-9 overall and 0-6 in the Commonwealth Conference, led most of the first half, enjoying a 35-30 halftime lead. The two squads were tied at 38-38 with 16:56 remaining in the second half before the Greyhounds went on a 14-4 run to take a 52-42 lead with 11:31 left in the game. Moravian would get its biggest lead of 66-51 on back-to-back three-pointers by senior guard Steve Weiler.
However, the Greyhounds scored just four points over the last 5:15 as the Falcons went on a 24-4 run for the victory. Messiah, now 11-6 overall and 3-3 in Commonwealth Conference action, was nine-of-ten at the foul line during the run while Moravian was 0-2 at the foul line in the final five minutes. Moravian shot 44.6 percent (25 of 56) from the floor and 48 percent (12 of 25) behind the three-point line, however, the Greyhounds were just eight of 13 (61.5 percent) at the charity stripe. Messiah connected on 27 of 62 field goals (43.5 percent) including 15 of 29 (51.7 percent) in the second half.
Sophomore guard Steve King led five Messiah players in double figures with 20 points, including an eight-for-12 performance from the floor and four-of-six on three-pointers. Sophomore forward Zach Wiernicki added 16 points and six rebounds while junior forward Dave Henninger had a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. Henninger also added three assists and three blocked shots for the Falcons.
Sophomore guard Quinn McCullough had 12 points and six assists. McCullough, who was seven of eight at the charity stripe in the game, went four-for-four at the foul line in the game’s final 21 seconds to seal the Falcon victory. Senior forward Greg Bernhardt added ten points for the Falcons. Junior guard Dave Carter contributed four assists and three rebounds.
Weiler was one of four Greyhounds in double figures with 15 points, including a five-for-nine performance behind the three-point line. Weiler also had five assists. Junior forward Brandon Zaleski scored a game high 21 points and added three rebounds while senior guard Kevin Wyers contributed 11 points, three three-pointers and a team high eight rebounds.
Sophomore forward Zach Zsilavecz netted 13 points. Senior guard Lucas Malishchak had five rebounds, four assists and three points while junior forward MIke Howell had four points and four boards.
Newspaper Box Score Messiah College vs Moravian College 1/24/04 4:15 PM at Johnston Hall, Bethlehem, PA At Johnston Hall, Bethlehem, PA MESSIAH COLLEGE 75, MORAVIAN COLLEGE 70 MESSIAH COLLEGE (11-6, 3-3 Comm.) Steve King 8-12 0-0 20; Zach Wiernicki 7-13 2-2 16; Dave Henninger 5-11 4-5 14; Quinn McCullough 2-9 7-8 12; Greg Bernhardt 4-8 0-0 10; Femi Akinnagbe 1-6 1-1 3; Will Cabrera 0-1 0-0 0; Dave Carter 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-62 14-16 75. MORAVIAN COLLEGE (8-9, 0-6 Comm.) Brandon Zaleski 8-13 4-6 21; Steve Weiler 5-11 0-0 15; Zach Zsilavecz 4-6 2-2 13; Kevin Wyers 4-10 0-0 11; Mike Howell 2-8 0-0 4; Steve Wenderfer 1-3 1-2 3; Lucas Malishchak 1-3 1-3 3; Ed Reid 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-56 8-13 70. Messiah College............... 30 45 - 75 Moravian College.............. 35 35 - 70 3-point goals-Messiah College 7-21 (Steve King 4-6; Greg Bernhardt 2-3; Quinn McCullough 1-7; Femi Akinnagbe 0-1; Will Cabrera 0-1; Dave Carter 0-2; Dave Henninger 0-1), Moravian College 12-25 (Steve Weiler 5-9; Kevin Wyers 3-6; Zach Zsilavecz 3-4; Brandon Zaleski 1-1; Ed Reid 0-1; Steve Wenderfer 0-1; Mike Howell 0-3). Fouled out--Messiah College-None, Moravian College-None. Rebounds-Messiah College 37 (Dave Henninger 10), Moravian College 35 (Kevin Wyers 8). Assists-Messiah College 19 (Quinn McCullough 6), Moravian College 18 (Steve Weiler 5). Total fouls-Messiah College 13, Moravian College 19. A-300