XML Box Score Grantham, PA - The Messiah College women's basketball team suffered a 63-54 loss to Juniata College Saturday evening in Brubaker Auditorium. 

The Falcons' defense came up big throughout the game, forcing the Eagles to turn the ball over 34 times. Although Messiah converted those possessions into 26 points, the Falcons' overall offense was less than consistent. Messiah shot 31.7% (19-60) on the game and was only 7-for-20 from three.

On the other hand, the Eagles shot an impressive 9-for-10 (90%) from the free throw line, 53.3% (8-for-15) from three, and were 23-for-50 (46%) from the field. Juniata was led by tournament MVP Kate McDonald who picked up a double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds.  She also led all players will eight assists.

Messiah's Taylor Miller and Chelsea Danel both contributed 13 points for the Falcons, earning All-Tournament team recognition.

Early in the first half, Messiah found themselves trailing 13-3 with under 14 minutes left in the half. After a mass substitution, the Falcons used the next six minutes to slowly chew away at their deficit. Taylor Miller scored eight points during that time span and hit a big three-pointer to even things at 19 apiece.

Around the seven minute mark, Messiah's offense continued to surge. Sienna Wisse added a layup and two free throws while Dominique Seamon contributed a bucket to complete a 13-0 run and claim a 25-19 lead with less than five minutes in the half.

But Juniata wasn't through just yet.

The Eagles' Katy Leamer drained three triples in the final minutes of the half, leading Juniata on a 9-2 run and a four point lead at the break. 

In the second half, the Falcons battled to come within one point of the lead three different times, but Juniata seemed to always have an answer.

Just two minutes into the half, Sienna Wisse hit a three and was later followed by a layup from Gillian Glackin, bringing the score to 32-33. In response, the Eagles duplicated Messiah's scoring with their own triple - layup combination to take a 32-38 lead.  A layup by Jocelyn Chavous and another three-pointer, this time from Chelsea Danel, brought the Falcons to within one (37-38) at the 14:08 mark.  Moments later, the teams would trade baskets to hold at 39-40.

This would be the closest the Falcons would come to regaining the lead for the remainder of play. Juniata turned it on offensively for the next five minutes to take an 11 point lead – their largest of the game.

Facing a sizeable deficit and only eight minutes to play, the Falcons went to work.

Gilliam Glackin started the scoring for Messiah when she grabbed her own rebound and put it back up for an easy two points. Sienna Wisse followed with one of two free throws, but it was Chelsea Danel who packed the most punch with her second three-pointer of the half. Wisse added another free throw and was accompanied by two more from Hannah Nichols. At the 2:26 mark, Chelsea Danel hit another triple to bring the Falcons within three points of the Eagles at 54-57.

Unfortunately for Messiah, the final minutes of play were not fruitful. The Falcons turned the ball over three times and missed their only three shots, failing to put additional points on the board. For Juniata, Kate McDonald and Kelsey Livoti combined for six points, giving the Eagles the 63-54 tournament championship.

Following the game, the All-Tournament Team was recognized. Messiah's Chelsea Danel and Taylor Miller were selected, while Juniata's Jordan Hileman also found her place on the list. Danel, Taylor, and Hileman joined Diamond Lewis from Ursinus College and Rosemont College's Liz Coyne, while Juniata's Kate McDonald took home the MVP honor.

The Falcons will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Penn State-Harrisburg for a 6:00 p.m. game. 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video