ETOWN FALLS TO MESSIAH, 83-77

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. --- Despite a strong second half comeback after being down by 18 points at halftime, Elizabethtown could not bridge the gap and fell to Messiah, 83-77, on the road Tuesday. With the loss, the Blue Jays fall to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Commonwealth Conference, while Messiah improves to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

Ross Unruh (Denver, PA/Cocalico) led the Blue Jays with 19 points as four Etown players reach double figures in scoring. Brian Loftus (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks West) pitched in 13 points, Bob Porambo (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) added 12, and Matt Nikoloff (Grove City, PA/Grove City) scored 11 while leading the team with 10 rebounds.

Etown held a slight 33-32 advantage in rebounding over the Falcons, and had 13 steals against four for Messiah. Messiah made 23 turnovers compared to Etown's 17. However, Messiah shot a whopping 59.6% from the field and 46.2% from three point range, while the Blue Jays shot 45.3%.

Elizabethtown returns to action at home against Gettysburg Saturday, December 9. Game time is 3:00 p.m.

Newspaper Box Score
Elizabethtown College vs Messiah College
12/5/00 8:00 p.m. at Grantham, PA (Messiah College)
At Grantham, PA (Messiah College)
MESSIAH COLLEGE 83, ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE 77

ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE (4-2, 2-1)
Ross Unruh 5-12 8-11 19; Brian Loftus 5-10 2-2 13; Bob Porambo 5-10 1-2 12; Matt Nikoloff 5-8 1-2 11; Brian Marquette 3-8 0-0 6; Britt Moore 2-4 0-0 5; Jon English 1-4 2-2 4; Dustin Werdt 1-1 0-0 3; Chad Heller 1-1 0-0 2; Rocky Parise 1-5 0-0 2; Ian Daecher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-64 14-19 77.

MESSIAH COLLEGE (4-3, 2-1)
Zach Yoder 8-19 4-5 21; Kenny Loyer 4-6 6-6 17; Matt Morgan 7-9 2-2 17; David Greenplate 5-8 3-6 14; Larry Johnson 3-4 6-9 12; Josh Hutchinson 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 28-47 21-28 83.

Elizabethtown College......... 31 46 - 77
Messiah College............... 49 34 - 83

3-point goals-Elizabethtown College 5-21 (Brian Loftus 1-5; Britt Moore 1-2; Bob Porambo 1-4; Dustin Werdt 1-1; Ross Unruh 1-4; Rocky Parise 0-2; Jon English 0-1; Brian Marquette 0-2), Messiah College 6-13 (Kenny Loyer 3-4; David Greenplate 1-1; Matt Morgan 1-1; Zach Yoder 1-7). Fouled out--Elizabethtown College-Ross Unruh; Rocky Parise, Messiah College-None. Rebounds-Elizabethtown College 28 (Matt Nikoloff 10), Messiah College 32 (Larry Johnson 6). Assists-Elizabethtown College 6 (Rocky Parise 2), Messiah College 12 (Matt Morgan 5). Total fouls-Elizabethtown College 24, Messiah College 17. A-300