Box Score
Photo Gallery

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Lebanon Valley couldn't solve a hot-shooting Messiah team as it lost 79-66 in Commonwealth Conference play Thursday night.

The Falcons (15-8, 8-5 CC) clinched a berth in the CC playoffs with the win, sweeping the season series from the Dutchmen (10-14, 6-7 CC) in the process. LVC is now all but out of the playoff picture, with Thursday night's game a must-win in order to remain in contention.

Messiah, which drilled 14 three-pointers in their first meeting back on Jan. 20, went to the long ball again, making 10, including seven in the first half.

All five LVC starters scored in double digits, with Joe Meehan leading with 20 points. Sean MacIntosh, Grant Becker, Cameron Prince, and Dan Dunkelberger each had 10.

Kyle Snyder's 19 points led Messiah, and Tyler Ritzman poured in 15 of his 18 points in the first half. Jamie Yoder also scored 18 as he went 10-for-10 at the line. Messiah controlled the glass all night, out-rebounding LVC 36-16.

The Dutchmen built a big early lead, going up nine less than seven minutes into the game, but the Falcons found their stroke from the outside and quickly turned that into a 39-29 lead at the half behind 59.1 percent first-half shooting and seven three-pointers.

LVC never got closer than four in the second half after back-to-back Meehan shots made it 50-46 at the halfway mark.

The Falcons built the lead again with solid shooting, including going 21-for-25 at the line in the second half.

LVC will play its season finale Saturday at Alvernia.