GRANTHAM, Pa. - After dropping their season opener to York on Thursday, the Messiah women's basketball team bounced back on Saturday evening, defeating Juniata College 74-45. The Falcons shot an impressive 29-of-64 (45.3%) from the field with Alecia Rohrer leading the way. Rohrer collected her second straight double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Maci Thornton added 11 points for the Falcons and Eleana Eckley had eight. Every player who stepped on the court for the Falcons contributed in the scoring column in their victory over the Eagles.

How it Happened
Messiah had a dominant start to the game and outscored the Eagles 20-6 in the first 10 minutes of play. Fourteen of those 20 points were off Juniata's turnovers. The Eagles first and only lead of the game took place at the 8:30 mark when they led 4-2, but then the Falcons took off on an 18-to-2 run to finish out the quarter. Messiah was connecting on all cylinders in the first quarter and they were very disciplined defensively, holding the Eagles to just six points and causing 12 turnovers.

The Falcons continued to maintain control early in the second quarter of play and scored 18 consecutive points in the first four and a half minutes. Alecia Rohrer led the way offensively, collecting eight of her 20 points in less than four minutes. Midway through the quarter, the momentum shifted and Juniata went on a 15-to-2 scoring run to finish out the half. Although the Falcons struggled to put the ball in the hoop late in the quarter, they still went into the break with a 40-21 advantage.

In the final two quarters of play, Messiah continued to dominant offensively and outscored the Eagles 34-24. Kristen Smoluk got things going for the Falcons early in the third quarter with back-to-back baskets to give her team a 23-point lead. The Eagles would eventually bring the Falcons' lead down to 18 points after Grace Long finished a layup, however Becca Isaac scored a quick-two which sparked Messiah to a 10-to-2 run. Juniata pieced together a six-point run of their own late in the quarter, but Haley Maraday responded and knocked down a jumper with five seconds left to give Messiah a 23-point lead heading into the final quarter of play. Messiah took care of business in the fourth and held the Eagles to just nine points. First year players' Maggie Friedline and Eleana Eckley hit two big shots at the end of the quarter to add to the Falcons lead and secure a 74-45 victory.

In the Box
Although the Falcons shot an incredible 45.3% from the field, they struggled to connect from three-point range (22.2%) and at the free throw line (12-of-20). Offensively, Messiah did an excellent job sharing the basketball; they collected 24 total assists with Alecia Rohrer and Kristen Smoluk leading the way with four each. The one category the Falcons did not lead in was rebounds, Juniata out-rebounded Messiah 41-37. Defensively, the Falcons were tenacious, picking up 19 steals and causing 34 Juniata turnovers. Smoluk collected five steals and Rohrer and Becca Isaac each added three for the Falcons. One of the most impressive stats of the evening was that 30 of the Falcons' 74 points came from their bench personnel. Messiah's depth is one of their biggest strengths this season and that showed to be true in their win against Juniata.

Next Up
The Falcons will hit the road and travel south to Gettysburg College on Tuesday, Nov. 13 for a 6:00 p.m. tip. Messiah will then be back in Hitchcock Arena when they host their Hampton Inn Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17.