Grantham, PA – Messiah came away with their fourth straight victory this evening against conference opponent Lycoming College, 53-49.
 
The Falcons were a bit slow out of the gate, giving up a three pointer on Lycoming's opening possession, followed by two quick baskets to make the score 7-2. Messiah righted the ship for the time being, and retook the lead, 11-9, with 12:27 left in the half. Kaitlyn Hoff and Dominique Seamon sank two jumpers, followed by a layup from Gillian Glackin and Hoff's first three pointer of the game. The next 2:15 included two ties, and three lead changes, but ended with Lycoming regaining the lead, 16-14. The Warriors would hold that lead for the remainder of the half, as the Falcons trailed 24-19 at intermission.
 
However, as true to form, the Falcons would respond. Gillian Glackin earned a quick trip to the free throw line, converting on both with Messiah's first possession of the second-half. Glackin then showed quick hands on defense coming up with the steal, leading to a Hannah Nichols jumper. Dominique Seamon would cut the Warriors lead to two, hitting a three ball with 16:30 to play. After two free throws from Nichols to tie the game, Seamon hit her second consecutive three to give the Falcons their first lead in the second-half, 31-30.
 
Messiah struggled to run their offense and get open looks, however they continued to hit clutch shots and free throws and clung to a single digit lead the rest of the way. 
 
"The second time through they are always tough games. Everybody knows each other and what they are going to do", said head coach Mike Miller.
 
It is hard to defend free throws however, as Messiah earned 27 trips to the line on the night, with 23 of them coming in the second-half. The Falcons would convert on 16 of those 23 attempts, while allowing Lycoming to take just three attempts in the second-half. 
 
The Falcons' defense was again dominant, causing 19 turnovers, as well as coming up with nine steals and four blocks.
 
"There is an old adage that defense wins championships," said coach Miller, "We just beat a really good team only shooting 33 percent."
 
Dominique Seamon had a game high 15 points, including 3-6 from the downtown. Kaitlyn Hoff added 14 points, her third consecutive game in double digits.
 
Chelsea Henderson paced Lycoming with 14 points and four steals.  
 
The win moves the Falcons to 11-8 overall and 7-3 in the conference.  They next face Widener at home on Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m.