Box Score Glenside, PA (January 12, 2013) - Sophomore guard Travis Saltus poured in 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, leading the Arcadia University Knights (9-5, 5-3) to a 95-81 come from behind victory over the Commonwealth Conference defending champion Messiah College Falcons (8-6, 4-4). The Knights trailed by as many as nine in the second half, but came back to take the lead for good with 5:25 to go, shooting 75% from the field in second half.

The Knights matched last year's win total with the victory and defeated Messiah for the first time since joining the MAC. Messiah was also picked to to repeat as Commonwealth Conference champions by the MAC coaches. Arcadia is on a three-game winning streak, their longest of the season and are 3-1 in the stretch of seven games in 15 days.

Messiah led 49-40 early in the second half, but a 12-3 run by Arcadia tied the game at 52 with 13:40 to play. The Falcons took the lead back and led 60-56, but a 7-2 run gave the Knights the lead 63-62. The game then pin balled back and forth and was tied at 75 with 5:27 to play.

Arcadia then ended game on a 20-6 run and pulled away in the final minutes. The final margin of victory was their largest lead of the game. Messiah went just 2-12 in the final five minutes, while Arcadia went 7-9 from the field and 6-7 from the line.

In the second half Arcadia shot 75% from field, missing just seven shots and went 17-19 from the line. For the game the Knights shot over 67% from the field, 44% from beyond the arc and 90% from the line. They out rebounded Messiah 27-26 and committed 12 turnovers.

The game started with Arcadia jumping out to a 7-0 lead and they then led 11-4 at the 15:47 mark. Messiah then used a 13-2 run to take a 17-13 lead at 11:36. The Knights trailed 30-29 with 3:40 to play, but a quick 7-0 spurt by the Falcons gave them a 37-29 lead. Messiah went into the break leading 42-34.

Colin McCarthy and Khalief Trawick each scored six in the first half to lead Arcadia. Taylor Groff scored 11 to lead Messiah. Both teams shot over 57% from the field and each had 11 rebounds. Messiah had seven turnovers and forced nine.

All five starters ended the game scoring in double figures, led by Saltus who was 8-12 from the field, including 2-3 from behind the arc and 6-7 from the line. He also had two rebounds and four assists. Joe Brown added 19 points, Trawick scored 15 points, McCarthy scored 14 points and Aaron Lee-Webb scored 10 points. Zac Hoy scored 20 points to lead Messiah.

The Knights will play their fifth game in this stretch on Monday night when they host Delaware Valley in non-conference action.