Box Score

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Messiah College scored the first 14 points of the second half to erase a 31-26 Lebanon Valley College halftime lead and win, 63-54, in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action Tuesday night.

The Dutchmen (6-10, 0-1 CC) had the momentum heading into the break but could not recover from the blistering Falcon (12-4, 1-0 CC) run at the start of the half.

Junior Eric Humphrey led LVC off the bench with 15 points, while classmate Dan Dunkelberger added 10. Sophomore Matt Staub and freshman Grant Becker added spark off the bench as well, adding eight and seven points, respectively.

Andy Hawk paced Messiah with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Jason Miller had 12 points and seven steals.

Free-throw shooting proved to be a key factor, as LVC struggled with 11-of-18 shooting at the line while Messiah shot a sparkling 24-of-28.

An entertaining first half was a back-and-forth affair that featured seven ties and five lead changes. LVC finally took the upper hand late in the half when Dustin Kerns hit a pair of foul shots to put his team up three.

Staub canned a three-pointer from the wing to make it a four-point lead, then, after a Hawk layup for Messiah, Staub drained a long-range three at the buzzer to put LVC up 31-26 at the break.

The momentum didn't last long, however, as Messiah came out with a full head of steam and held LVC scoreless over the first 6:20 of the half. Kyle Enoch's jumper finally broke the ice, and LVC clawed back into the game, pulling within three points with 7:11 left.

But with the game in the balance, Messiah responded with a 9-0 run to take a double-digit lead that LVC could not overcome.

LVC hosts conference foe Albright College Saturday at 1 p.m.