FREDERICK, Md. – No. 14 (WBCA) Messiah College women's basketball picked up their eighth-straight win after they defeated the Hood Blazers 83-56 on Tuesday evening. With this win, the Falcons moved to 22-2 overall, 14-1 in the MAC Commonwealth, and remained at the top of the conference with one game left to play.
 
The Falcons shot an impressive 32-of-59 (54.2%) from the field and 12-of-21 (57.1%) from three-point range. However, they shot a rare 7-of-12 (58.3%) from the free-throw line. Defensively, Messiah did a phenomenal job and collected 13 steals and seven blocks. They also took care of the boards and outrebounded the Blazers 35-25.
 
Five Falcons led the way offensively and scored double-figures. Maci Thornton led Messiah with 15 points, while Leah Springer added 14. Kaitlyn Hoff collected 13 and Jen Fairbanks and Alecia Rohrer each had 11.
 
Big First Half 
Messiah had a dominant start to the game and outscored the Blazers 41-to-19 in the first two quarters of play. Maci Thornton started things off with a quick three-pointer but the Blazers answered back the very next possession with a lay-up. The Falcons then exploded on a 16-to-3 run past the Blazers (19-5). The first quarter ended with some back-and-forth action in the last two and a half minutes of play and Messiah held a comfortable 10-point lead going into the second quarter (25-15).
 
Kristen Smoluk scored on back-to-back possessions to open up the second quarter and Hood connected on a basket of their own but then both teams remained scoreless until midway through the quarter. At the 5:41 mark, Hood knocked in a three-pointer to bring Messiah's lead down 28-15. However, Maci Thornton responded with a three of her own to initiate a 7-to-0 run. Hood ended the run with a layup but Messiah finished the quarter on a 6-to-2 and had a 41-19 advantage at the break.
 
Kaitlyn Hoff and Leah Springer led all scorers in the first half with 11 points each.

Falcons Continue to Fly
The Falcons came out of the halftime break and continued to soar past the Blazers. Messiah opened the quarter on a 6-to-0 run after Maci Thornton and Jen Fairbanks each knocked in a three-pointer. Hood then took matters into their own hands and went on a 10-to-2 scoring run to bring Messiah's lead down to 20 (49-29). Alecia Rohrer ended the Blazer's run with a fast break layup which led Messiah on a 14-to-2 run to close out the quarter. Nine of those 14 points were off of three-point field goals. The Falcons would enter the fourth and final quarter with a 67-31 lead over Hood.
 
Blazers Finish Hot, Messiah Holds On
Hood had an impressive fourth quarter and outscored the Falcons 25 to 16. They brought Messiah's lead down to 27 points but it wouldn't be enough. The Falcons would hold on for an 83-56 victory and would collect their 22nd win of the season.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday, February 17 when they travel to Lebanon Valley College for their last regular season game. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.