Box Score
San Juan, PR - Messiah College held Bridgewater State to 20 points below their season average, winning 57-37 on day one of the Puerto Rico Shootout. Senior
Dori Gyori followed up her Commonwealth Player of the Week effort from last Friday with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
The Falcons led just 21-17 at the half, with a second-half advantage of 36-20 sending Messiah to their ninth-straight victory.
Gyori's point and rebound totals were both game-highs, with classmate
Kira Maier adding 15 points and seven rebounds.
"Dori and Kira were both outstanding," head coach
Mike Miller said. "They played well in every area."
The strong play by the Falcons' starting forwards was backed up by a number of contributions off the bench, with
Jordan Seiz,
Sienna Wisse,
Hannah Nichols, and
Morgan DeRemer providing key minutes.
Messiah's strong defensive effort was a big factor in the win, as Bridgewater managed only 37 points. The defensive play proved necessary, as the Falcons shot less than 38% from the field and a cold 2-19 from the three-point line-- perhaps the only thing cold in the 85-degree temperatures.
Nevertheless, Messiah committed just 11 turnovers and forced 19 giveaways from the Eagles as they started off the Shootout on a high note.
Taylor Miller added nine points for the Falcons, with Jessica McDen leading the Eagles with 11 points and six rebounds.
Ranked No. 8 in the most recent
ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll, Messiah will now look forward to a match-up with No. 1 DePauw University on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
