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The Albright College men's basketball team looks to avenge a heartbreaking loss in the Commonwealth Conference semifinals last season, with a Saturday night trip to defending league champion Messiah.

2011-12 Commonwealth Playoffs

Dave Singleton hit a pair of jumpers in the final minute to force overtime but then fouled out in the extra period as Albright ran out of gas in a 70-65 overtime loss to top-seeded Messiah, last year in the Commonwealth semifinals. Singleton finished with 17 points while Derek Hall added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Cornell Mickens chased down an offensive rebound and found Hall alone to pull within one late in overtime, but David Fernandez and Trey Ritzman each hit clutch shots as Messiah opened up a two-possession lead. Despite a three from Sam Marrella with 17 seconds left, Derek Mosley hit a pair of free throws to clinch the result.

Albright College Lions (6-1, 2-1)

The Lions bounced back in a big way Wednesday, beating conference rival Widener 84-61 decision in the Bollman Center, following their first loss of the season vs. Alvernia the weekend before.

Singleton totaled eight points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in just 25 minutes of action before giving way with the game in hand. Senior Zach Benjamin had a game-high 18 points, with Marrella and Kyle Jordan adding 12 points each.

It was a team effort as 13 of the 15 Lions who dressed scored points. The two who didn't were in the box score with rebounds to their name. Freshman Andre Marshall made headlines with a thunderous dunk late in the second half, despite being fouled on the play.

Messiah College Falcons (4-2, 3-0)

Messiah is attempting to recover from the loss of junior Fernandez, their star player down the stretch in last season's championship run, who is currently out injured and had not appeared yet this season. A smart, hard-working Falcons squad still has plenty of talent left over however, and Messiah is tied with Lycoming for first place in the Commonwealth at 3-0.

Mosley, now a senior, is averaging a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game, to go with 13.8 ppg. Junior Brad Bolen (17.7 ppg) leads the squad in scoring and has 15 steals on the year.

Head Coaches

Rick Ferry begins his 12th year with a 6-1 start for the Lions in 2012-13. Under Ferry's direction the Lions have participated in six Commonwealth Tournament playoffs, winning the Commonwealth Tournament Championship and claiming NCAA Tournament berths in 2003-04 and 2009-10.  Ferry was named Commonwealth Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05).

Messiah alum Rick Van Pelt is in his 10th season as head coach, and has led Messiah to all three of their NCAA tournament trips (including a berth last season).

“40 Years at the Bru”

Messiah will be celebrating “40 Years at the Bru” at Saturday's games, marking the 40th year of Falcon basketball in the Brubaker Auditorium. Prizes and promotions will be conducted throughout the evening, former Falcon student-athletes will be in attendance, and Messiah students have been encouraged to wear 70's clothing for the occasion.