GRANTHAM, Pa. - Hood College limited Messiah to just 33 percent shooting on its home floor in a 58-45 win for the Blazers in Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth play.

Tanner Ruths (Stephens City, Va. / Sherando) and Jared Ruiz (Frederick, Md. / Oakdale) scored 11 points apiece, while Daniel Wegener (Falling Waters, W.Va. / Broadfording Christian (Md.)) added 10 points. Ruths shot 5-of-7 from the field and Wegener was 4-of-8, while Ruiz went 2-of-3 from the 3-point arc. Trevor Magnuski (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valle) led the team with eight rebounds and Luke Casey (Nanticoke, Pa. / Crestwood) blocked three shots. 

Hood trailed 13-10, but a 3-point play by Ruths tied the game with four minutes, 48 seconds left in the first half. Ruiz was wide open for a 3 from the wing on the next possession for a 16-13 lead. 

The Blazers led 22-20 at halftime, but a 3-pointer by Josh Clippinger to open the second half gave the Falcons the lead. Hood took the lead for good with 18:11 go in the game on two free throws by Magnuski that made the score 27-25.

Hood led 46-42 after a pair of free throws by Jonah Meredith with 4:39 to play, but the Blazers finished the game with a 12-3 run that featured points by six different players. 

Clippinger was the only Messiah player to score in double figures with 16 points. Geoff Boyle grabbed seven rebounds. 

Hood outrebounded the Falcons 40-31. The Blazers committed just 12 turnovers in the contest.

The Blazers improved to 12-10 on the season and 6-7 in the crowded MAC Commonwealth standings. Hood is tied with Stevenson and Widener for sixth place, a half game behind Albright and Lycoming, who are tied for fourth. The top five teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.

Hood travels to Lycoming on Saturday, Feb. 13 for a 3 p.m. tip off.