GRANTHAM, Pa. - The women's basketball team advanced to 9-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference after a 66-47 victory over the Alvernia Golden Wolves here in Grantham. After a fairly even first four minutes of play, Messiah's offense pushed to a 15-8 lead to end the first period. The Falcons outscored Alvernia 20-11 in the second half to enter the halftime break with a 35-19 lead.

In the third quarter, the Falcons quickly jumped out to a 25 point with a layup from Jayneisha Davis. The fourth quarter saw Messiah lead by as much as 30 but the Golden Wolves cut the Falcons' lead to 19 before the end of the game. 

Leah Springer led the Falcons with 16 points and nine rebounds with Megan Zimmeran (15 points, six rebounds) and Eleana Eckley (11 points, seven rebounds) also collecting double-digit points.

Even Start
The two teams traded blows in the early going with the Falcons striking first off a layup in the paint from Grace Cryan. After two minutes of play, Leah Springer hit a three to give Messiah a 5-2 lead but the Golden Wolves cut it to 5-4 on the next possession. 
 
The Golden Wolves pulled within one with 4:22 left in the first period after a layup from Julia Ewin cut the Falcons' lead to 9-8. The Falcons ballooned their lead in the closing minutes of the period, adding two free throws from Leah Springer, a jumper from Madison Eich, and a layup from Eleana Eckley to close out the period with a 15-8 lead.
 
Late Attack
After 1:10 of scoreless play, the Golden Wolves cut the Falcons' lead to 15-10. Grace Cryan scored the next two points for Messiah 1:20 later, sinking both of her free throws to make it 17-10. Cryan drained two more free throws 37 seconds later. From there, the Falcons charged forward, increasing their lead to double-digits with a bucket from Amber High, forcing Alvernia to call a timeout. 
 
Out of the break, the Golden Wolves made one of two free throws after a Falcons' foul but Eleana Eckley drained a three pointer to make it 23-11, regaining Messiah's double-digit lead. After a layup from Bre Jantz, Jayneisha Davis hit a shot from beyond the arc to make it 31-15, giving Messiah a 16-point lead, their largest of the second quarter. In the last 2:02, Eleana Eckley hit a jumper and drained two free throws to close out the half, giving Messiah a 35-19 lead at the half. 
 
Second Half Charge
Jayneisha Davis opened up the third period with a three pointer, setting the tone for the Falcons after the halftime break. Messiah didn't allow a Golden Wolves' bucket for over three minutes while pushing their lead to 25 points. Alvernia tried to gain momentum with 5:04 on the clock in the third after hitting a three but Messiah's offense couldn't be stopped. Megan Zimmerman fought through the paint to make it 46-24 with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter. Leah Springer highlighted the Falcons' closing minutes of the quarter with a jumper to make it 48-26. Springer hit both of her free throws at the end of the quarter to give Messiah a 52-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Falcons extend their lead to as much as 30 after strong attacks from Leah Springer, Jayneisha Davis, and Megan Zimmerman. The Golden Wolves went on a 10-0 run after Messiah's 30-point lead, cutting the Falcons' lead to 62-42 before Amber High could chime in with a layup. With 31 seconds on the clock, the Golden Wolves were at the charity stripe, draining both attempts before doing it again just 11 seconds later to make it 64-46 in favor of the Falcons. With 17 seconds left, the Falcons put in two free throws of their own with Sasha McMonigle on the line. Alvernia made one more free throw before time expired as Messiah went to win 66-47.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons are now 9-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference. Messiah will be back in action over Christmas break in Puerto Rico with games against UMass Boston (Dec. 29) and Lancaster Bible College (Dec. 30).