Grantham, PA – The Messiah College Falcons were unable to hold on to victory, as conference opponent Widener University won 65-61.
 
Trialing 37-28, with 17:35 to play in the game, the Falcons faced an uphill battle if they hoped to extend their winning streak to five games. They looked to be up to the challenge as Kaitlyn Hoff, who continued to have a hot hand for Messiah with 17 points, tallied back-to-back three pointers to cut the Pride's lead to just three. With the crowd back in it and Messiah down by just one possession for the first time since 11:42 in the first half, Deanna Eyerkuss hit a third consecutive three for the Falcons, evening the score with 15:07 to play.
 
The Falcons would go on to take their first lead of the game on a Kaitlyn Hoff free throw, making the score 38-37. After a Widener layup, Dominique Seamon would sink yet another three for the Falcons, putting them ahead by two. Widener would respond, however as Allison Gallagher hit two of two free throw attempts to even the score yet again. Gillian Glackin would once again give the lead back to Messiah, hitting the front end of a one-and-one, making the score 42-41 with 13:33 to play. The Falcons would hold that lead until the 5:27 mark, when Widener's Reiter hit from beyond the arc, putting the Pride up by one, 52-51. Dominique Seamon answered for the Falcons as she would go on to hit back-to-back three pointers, going 6-12 from down town on the night, to give Messiah a five-point lead.
 
The Falcons, however would see that lead disappear as they were only able to muster a single point over the next 3:51, and with just 36 seconds remaining, the Pride took the lead for good.
 
Dominique Seamon had a career-high 21 points for the Falcons, along with Kaitlyn Hoff tying her career high with 17 points as well as dishing out seven assists.
 
The Falcons were shut down on the interior, as well as the glass, as they only scored 14 points in the paint, as opposed to Widener's 36. As mentioned, Messiah was outrebounded 45-37, however 22 of the 45 rebounds for Widener were on the offensive glass.
 
The Falcons did shoot their second highest percentage from beyond the arc this season, making 12 of 25 attempts (48.0%).
 
The loss drops the Falcons to 11-9 overall and 7-4 in the conference.  They next play at Alvernia University on Feb. 4 at 6:00 p.m.