GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Albright Men's Basketball team (6-5, 1-0 MAC Commonwealth) opened their conference play on the road against Messiah (1-11, 0-1 MAC Commonwealth). Following 40 minutes of play, the Lions won 56-50 in a defensive showdown. 
 
Qadir Mitchell led the way for the Lions with 14 points off the bench and dished out a team high three assists in 23 minutes. 
 
Phanique Dupree led the team in both rebounds (9) and blocks (3) in a game where he was his usual self on defense. The Junior has now recorded multiple blocks in seven of the team's 11 games this season.
 
The Lions and Falcons entered halftime tied up at 27-27. Both teams looked to spark their offense while maintaining the defensive pressure. 
 
Senior Eric Chamberlain did just that for the Lions by swiping his way into the record books with a pair of steals and tying for second on the team with nine points. The former MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year is now the first Lion to ever record over 200 steals in a career (201).  

Chris Kouemi also maintained a strong defensive presence recording a pair of steals and blocks to go along with four rebounds and nine points. 

A 29-point second half by the Lions was enough to narrowly lift them past the Falcons in their conference opener by a score of 56-50. 
 
Up Next: 
 
The Lions will host their first conference game against their cross-city rival Alvernia on Saturday (1/11) at 3:00 pm.