Grantham, PA - Messiah College scored 42 second-half points to run away from Alvernia University and win 75-58. Jen Fairbanks led the Falcons with 16 points, while Gillian Glackin collected her sixth double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

The win pushed Messiah to 3-1 in the Commonwealth, and evened their record at 6-6 overall. Alvernia fell to 1-2 in conference, and 5-6 on the season.

Messiah allowed just 29 points to the Crusaders in each half and, although Alvernia outshot the Falcons in percentage (41.5 to 38.7) the Falcons took advantage of their looks from both beyond the arc and the free-throw line. Messiah shot a season-high 53.3% from deep, hitting eight of 15 attempts. At the charity stripe Messiah hit 19 of 27 attempts.

"We played a solid first-half, but we were even more ugent after the break," head coach Mike Miller said. "Gillian and Jen were fantastic in the second-half, which was a difference maker for us."

Fairbanks and Glackin combined to shoot 16 free-throws, with 11 makes. Glackin uncharacteristcally missed four attempts of her own but it didn't matter as much in today's game thanks to a balanced effort. Both Sienna Wisse and Kaitlyn Hoff scored 10 points, and they combined to shoot 5-8 from three-point range. Dominique Seamon and Hannah Nichols each added seven points, respectively.

"Dom got us going and did a great job throughout the game," Miller said, commenting on Seamon's energy throughout the afternoon. "Our ball movement was also really good as a team, and that made it easier for us to get great looks."

The Crusaders had three players in double-figures, led by Tyra Roberts' 12 points. But they were outrebounded by Messiah 44-34, including 16-7 on the offensive glass. That led to a huge advantage for Messiah in second-chance points, 18-2. Messiah also outscored Alvernia 22-7 off turnovers.

As mentioned, the double-double for Glackin was her sixth of the season. Fairbanks fell just a single rebound shy of her first career double-double.

The Falcons will finish the day no worse than second in the Commonwealth after just four games. They will play at first-place Stevenson University (3-0) on Wednesday, Jan. 7 but, before that, will travel to Johns Hopkins at Monday, Jan. 5.