Grantham, PA - In what turned out to be a historic game with two different players reaching 1,000 career points, the Falcons fended off a late surge by Arcadia University (10-15, 5-11) to narrowly escape with the victory.

It took two overtime periods for the Falcons to come away with the 74-70 win, earning them the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MAC Commonwealth tournament.

The Falcons' (18-7, 12-4) offense was less than stellar on the day as they shot only 27% (20-74) from the field and 26.3% (5-19) from three. Their saving grace came from the free throw line where they were 29-35 (82.9%). This was especially critical in the overtime periods, where the Falcons scored 13 of their 17 points from the charity stripe.

Gillian Glackin put up season high numbers, scoring 23 total points for the second time this season. She matched this effort ealier against Lycoming College on Feb. 3, yet her most impressive statistic of this game came from the free throw line where she was 15-16. Glackin's prolific offensive contribution not only helped lead her team to victory, but also earned her a place in the Messiah College women's basketball record book as the 20th player to score 1,000 career points.

Glackin's accomplishment wasn't the only career highlight of the game, however. Arcadia's Valerie Dimuro also reached 1,000 career points on the day. She finishing her career at that mark before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons also honored their five graduating seniors before the game, acknowleding the contributions of Deanna Eyerkuss, Alyssa Kuhn, Maria Rumberger, Dominique Seamon and Libby Timmer.

The five seniors started the game for the Falcons with Kuhn scoring the first bucket of the game on a breakaway layup. The Falcons tacked on 12 additional points to end the first quarter with a narrow 14-12 lead.

A solid zone defense from Arcadia throughout the first half plagued the Falcon's offense as they shot just 15-44 (34.1%) from the field. Hannah Brown wasn't fazed by the Knights, however, as she posted eight points in the second quarter. Brown was 2-3 from the field, 2-2 from three, and 2-2 from the free throw line. Her efforts helped the Falcons hold a three point (32-29) lead at the half.

Hoff extended the lead to six on a triple to open the third quarter and the Falcons quickly pulled ahead by a game-high 10 points halfway through the frame.

The Knights went on to outscore the Falcons 8-2 through the next three minutes to come within four, but tough defense from Messiah held them to just one bucket in the final two minutes to hold a 51-43 advantage.

The fourth quarter proved to be a bit of a roller coaster for the Falcons with tremendous highs and catastrophic lows. The Falcons were without a point through almost 8:00 of play before Gillian Glackin broke the seal on a turnaround jumper. Leading up to that, however, the Knights went on an 11-0 run, to take a three point lead with 2:25 to play.

The bucket from Glackin not only brought the Falcons back to life, but was also her 999th and 1,000th career points.

Before any celebrating could occur, Arcadia's Valerie Dimuro scored on a layup to give Arcadia a three-point lead and made one of two free throws in the next possession to extend the Knights' lead to 57-53 with less than a minute to play.

In what would be her final points of the game and the season - she later fouled out - Dimuro earned her place in the record books as well, amassing 1,000 career points.

In the very next possession, Kaitlyn Hoff put up a three that would bring the Falcons within one, but the shot was off the mark due to an Arcadia foul. Hoff made 2-3 free throws, bringing the score to 57-55 with 42 seconds to play.

The Falcons came up with a strong defensive effort that forced Arcadia to take a last second three, resulting in a defensive rebound by Alecia Rohrer and a final possession for the Falcons. In that possession, Dominique Seamon was fouled and made her way to the free throw line. Seamon, a 68.4% free throw shooter, made both free throws to equalize things at 57-57 with just 11 seconds to play.

Arcadia had two good chances to score in the final moments of regulation but came up empty on an attempted three and a layup that was blocked by Glackin.

After a hard-fought 40 minutes of play, the victor would be decided in overtime.

The Falcons' scoring percentage continued to deteriorate in the extra periods, as they were just 1-7 (14.3%) from the field in the first overtime. On the bright side, they were 6-6 from the free throw line. More importantly, those free throws came at a high price for the Knights. All four of their first overtime fouls were committed by their "bigs," Valerie Dimuro and Addy Crenny. Both players ended up fouling out in the first overtime, giving the Falcons a distinct advantage in the second overtime.

During the first overtime, however, the Falcons pulled ahead by six points with 1:33 left to play, but they quickly lost that lead when the Knights outscored Messiah 6-0 in the final moments to even the score at 65-65; resulting in another overtime period.

Dominique Seamon hit a jumper in the Falcons' first possession to reclaim the lead 67-65, yet Messiah wouldn't make another bucket until 46 seconds were left on the clock.

Mental and physical fatique took a toll on both teams in the final frame, resulting in neither team's ability to score through the first four minutes of play. The Knights found the bottom of the net eventually, making three free throws to take the 68-67 lead with 1:53 to play.

In their next possession, the Falcons went through two shot clocks before reaping the fruits of their labor.

Glackin missed an open layup but was saved by Seamon who came up with the offensive rebound. Seamon's follow up shot was off the mark, but Glackin brought down the offensive board and was fouled in the process. At the line, Glackin made both free throws, giving her team the 69-68 lead.

Moments later, Seamon came up with a steal and was also fouled, resulting in two made free throws and the 71-68 advantage.

With just 22 seconds to play, the Knights continued to battle, taking the ball to the hole and quickly making it a one point game yet again.

Following a Messiah timeout the Falcons inbounded the ball and were immediately fouled, sending Glackin to the line where she made 1-2 of free throws to push the Falcons ahead by two (72-70) with just 11 seconds on the clock.

The Knights were able to get a three off in their final possession, but Hoff came up with the defensive rebound, forcing Arcadia to foul in order to get the ball back.

Hoff sealed the victory by making both free throws, giving her team a hard fought 74-70 win.

On the day, Hoff (12) was one of four Falcons who contributed double digit points. Brown had 10, Seamon added 15, and Glackin led all scorers with 23 points.

With the win the Falcons move to 18-7 overall and 12-4 in the MAC Commonwealth. Arcadia ends their season at 10-15 and 5-11 in the conference.

The No. 2 Falcons will open up the MAC Commonwealth tournament on Wednesday when they host No. 3 Stevenson University at 7:00 p.m. The Mustangs swept the regular season series winning the first matchup in Owings Mills by a score of 63-49, and then won in Grantham by a score of 60-46 on Jan. 28. The Falcons' recent results are surely setting up what could be an incredible story of redemption.