NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – No. 11 Messiah College women's basketball secured a big road victory over No. 14 Christopher Newport University on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons defeated the Captains 68-62 and moved to 7-1 overall. Messiah handed Christopher Newport their first loss of the season, they fell to 6-1 overall. Alecia Rohrer led the way for the Falcons and collected her sixth double-double of the season with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Rohrer's 20 boards set a facility record for the Freeman Center, the previous record was 19 rebounds which was set by CNU's Camry Green against York (Pa.) on January 3, 2015. 

Maci Thornton scored 13 points and gathered 4 steals and Kristen Smoluk added 11 points, five assists, and four steals for Messiah. Eleana Eckley and Megan Zimmerman also had big performances for the Falcons scoring nine and seven points, respectively. Overall, Messiah shot 38.6% (27-of-70) from the field, 33.3% (3-of-9) from deep range, and 61.1% (11-of-18) from the free throw line.

Messiah's defense proved to be effective as they held Christopher Newport to just 62 points. The Captains came into the afternoon averaging 82.2 points a game and scored 102 points in their previous matchup. The Falcons also collected 18 steals and picked up 21 points off Christopher Newport's 27 turnovers. Messiah took care of the glass, out-rebounding the Captains 42-37 including 18 offensive rebounds.

How It Happened
The game started as a defensive battle for both teams and Messiah held onto an early 2-0 lead until the 6:13 mark when the Captains tied things up. The Falcons found their groove offensively and went on a 6-to-2 run past the Captains midway through the quarter. Christopher Newport hit a three-pointer to end the Falcons' scoring spree; bringing the lead down to 10-7. Maggie Friedline scored a quick jumper and Kristen Smoluk cashed in a three-point shot to launch the Falcons on 7-to-2 run to close out the quarter. The Falcons had a 17-9 lead after the first ten minutes of play and Kristen Smoluk led all scorers with seven points. Messiah also collected seven of their 18 steals in the first quarter due to their tenacious play on the defensive end.

Maci Thornton started the second quarter off with a three-point field goal to extend the Falcons' lead to 11, however the Captains answered with a three of their own to bring the score down to 20-12. Christopher Newport pieced together a 10-to-2 scoring run and tied the game at 22-22 at the midway point in the quarter. Eleana Eckley found success on back-to-back possessions and Alecia Rohrer knocked in a jumper off a steal to bring Messiah's lead up to six points (28-22). The Captains then converted on two free throw attempts, but the Falcons were right there to answer and close out the quarter with a 7-to-1 run and headed into halftime with a 35-25 advantage.

Both teams came out of the halftime break hungry and ready to score. The squads traded baskets back-and-forth early in the quarter but then the Captains went on a 9-to-4 run to bring Messiah's lead down to five (41-36). Maci Thornton and Alecia Rohrer got things going for the Falcons and scored six-consecutive points to pull ahead 47-36. Christopher Newport buckled down and finished the quarter on a 10-to-3 run to make it a two-possession ball game heading into the fourth and final quarter.

The Captains opened the quarter on a 6-0 run and picked up their first lead of the game (52-50). However, Messiah responded with six straight points led by Kristen Smoluk and Alecia Rohrer to recapture a four-point lead (56-52). Both teams traded baskets in the next two possessions and at the 4:41 mark Eleana Eckley hit a baseline three-pointer to put Messiah up 61-55. Messiah maintained control of the game and held on for a 68-62 victory over the 14th-ranked team in the nation. 

What's Up Next
Messiah will pick up conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 5 when they host Hood College at 8:00 p.m. The Falcons will then travel to Alvernia University on Saturday, Dec. 8 to continue the MAC Commonwealth schedule.