Box Score
Elizabethtown, PA - The Messiah College Falcons (5-0, 2-0 CC) shot 51% on 53 shots from the field Saturday afternoon in a Commonwealth Conference win over the hosting Elizabethtown College Blue Jays (1-5, 0-3 CC). Leading by just three at the half, the Falcons outscored the hosts 38-23 in the second half en route to a 70-52 win.
Four Falcons--
Dori Gyori,
Nicky Hess,
Hannah Nichols, and
Kira Maier-- scored double digit points for the Falcons, leading a balanced offensive attack which put together their most efficient shooting effort of the early season. Hess led all scorers with 19.
The Falcons, despite the slim lead at the half, controlled much of the contest and trailed for just 10 seconds for the duration of the game.
Kira Maier and Dori Gyori again made their presences known to their opponent. Maier and Gyori again scored in double digits, and both collected double digit rebounds. Maier's 12 rebounds-- including 5 on the offensive glass-- mimicked her twelve points on an effective 6-14 from the field. Gyori added 11 boards to compliment her 16 points.
The Blue Jays were led offensively by Taylor Alwine who collected 12 points.
Gyori and Maier have now combined for 244 points on the season for the Falcons during their season opening five game win-streak. The duo's 244 points accounts for an astounding 68% of the Falcons 359 points on the season.
A six-minute span over the begin of the second half was enough for the Falcons to open the game up. A three-point lead quickly turned into 13 and was as much as 18 for the Falcons on a contribution from a variety of Falcons' players.
Nicky Hess' hot hand during the second half stood out, helping the Falcons extend their comfortable lead with timely drives to the net and two momentum boosting threes.
Apart from the score the Falcons were efficient on both sides of the court.
Messiah beat the Jays to the glass for most of the night, picking up 38 total on the evening to the Jays' 28. Additionally, the Falcons shot 50% from beyond the arc, compared to E'town's 25%. One of the lone blemishes on the evening for the Falcons were the first half turnovers, perhaps a little bit of an explanation for the close half-time score. The Falcons coughed up 11 turnovers during the first half-- compared to just five in the second half.
The Falcons continue their Commonwealth Conference schedule on Wednesday as they travel to Commonwealth newcomer Hood College for a 7 p.m. meeting.
