DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Happy New Year, indeed.
 
Messiah women's basketball made it two wins in as many days at the Land of Magic Basketball Classic as they defeated Wellesley College, 63-45. The win moved the Falcons to 11-1 overall and gave them a two-game win streak heading into 2018. 
 
Maci Thornton led all scorers with 17 points on 7-11 shooting, including 3-4 from downtown. Alecia Rohrer collected her season's third double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Leah Springer added 11 points.
 
Messiah held the Blue to just 18-63 shooting from the field (28.6%) to drop them to 3-7 overall.
 
Big First (and Second)
Messiah's lopsided finish started with a lopsided first quarter as they held Wellesley to just six points in the first 10 minutes. The Falcons scored 20 points themselves— including 16 of the final 18 points between both teams—and they held the Blue without a point for the final 6:32 of the period.
 
Messiah's balanced attack was the difference in that opening quarter, with five different Falcons combining to go on a 13-0 run that had them up 20-6.
 
The second quarter included much of the same as Messiah outscored Wellesley 18-9 to build a commanding 38-16 halftime lead. The Falcons hit four shots from downtown in the period, including three-straight from Kaitlin Hoff, Kristen Smoluk, and Becca Isaac to open the frame. Maci Thornton hit the final three with less than 30 seconds to go to finish the first-half scoring.
 
Final Figures
Wellesley outscored the Falcons 19-9 in the third, but Messiah kept pace with a 16-11 out in the fourth that put the game away.
 
Messiah's team play, as mentioned, was on display as they collected 19 assists on 25 made baskets. The Falcons' bench also outscored the Blue 21-7, with Springer (11 points) and Hannah Brown (5) leading the way.
 
Up Next
Messiah will next play on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they travel to Stevenson University to continue MAC Commonwealth play. The Mustangs are currently 7-4 and won four-straight before losing at Marymount on Monday, Dec. 18.
 
Game time on Wednesday is set for 8:00 p.m.