FREDERICK, Md. - The Hood Blazers gave the No. 8 Messiah women's basketball team everything they could handle on Wednesday night, but it was the Falcons that prevailed for the 53-46 victory. Messiah trailed by three entering the final quarter, but for the second-straight game, Messiah closed out a conference victory with a convincing final 10 minutes to stay unblemished in MAC Commonwealth play this season (10-0). With the win, Messiah extends their winning streak to 18 games, just one shy of the program record of 19.

Maci Thornton led the Falcons with 23 points on a 7-17 effort from the field, while Alecia Rohrer collected a massive double-double, finishing with 16 points and 17 rebounds. Rohrer is now second in Division III women's basketball with 14 double-doubles on the season.

The Falcons will next take the floor at home on Saturday afternoon against the Alvernia Golden Wolves at 2:00 p.m.

Slow Start
Messiah and Hood opened Wednesday's game at a snail's pace, scoring just 18 combined points in the first 10 minutes of play. Messiah was held scoreless for the first three and a half minutes of play, before Alecia Rohrer knocked down a jumper with 6:33 remaining in the period to tie the game at 2-2. Rohrer was the lone, offensive bright spot for the Falcons in the opening stanza, accounting for eight of Messiah's 12 points in the first quarter.

The sluggish start continued for the Falcons through the second-quarter. Messiah shot just 10-32 in the opening half and saw the Blazers tie at 25-25 through the first 20 minutes.

Getting to the Line
While it was an off shooting night from the floor for the Falcons - Messiah shot a season-low 29.6% from the field - they were able to get to the free throw line in the second-half. The Falcons went 13-16 from the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes, including a 9-10 mark in the fourth quarter alone, to seal the victory.

They would need that strong fourth quarter effort from the line, as the Blazers held a three-point lead with seven minutes to play in regulation at 44-41.

Messiah finished the game on a 12-2 run over the final seven minutes of play, thanks in large part to a 5-6 mark from the stripe down the stretch.

In the Box Score
Messiah turned the ball over just six times in Wednesday's game while forcing the Blazers to commit 19 turnovers in the 40 minutes of play. The Falcons netted 20 points off turnovers in the game while allowing just three points by the Blazers off turnovers.

Hood did hold a considerable advantage on the boards, pulling down 44 rebounds against just 30 for the Falcons.

With a game-high 23 points, Maci Thornton has now scored double-digits in all 18 games this season. She has gone for at least 22 points in each of her last four games and now has eight games of at least 20 points this season.

Alecia Rohrer collected her 14th double-double of the season with 16 points and 17 rebounds on Wednesday night. Rohrer is currently one double-double shy of the national lead of 15, held by Dakota Jones of Lesley.

What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 18-1 on the season and 10-0 in conference. The Falcons will put their 18-game win-streak on the line Saturday afternoon when they host the Alvernia Golden Wolves at 2:00 p.m. on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena. Earlier this season, the Falcons went to Reading and defeated the Golden Wolves, 66-31 on Dec. 8.