GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah College women's basketball team is moving on to their fifth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship game after defeating the Stevenson University Mustangs 78-44 on Wednesday evening. The Falcons had a phenomenal start to the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal game, outscoring the Mustangs 38-12 in the first two quarters. Messiah kept their foot on the gas in the second half and soared to a 34-point (78-44) victory.
 
Leah Springer led the Falcons with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Jayneisha Davis (14) and Eleana Eckley (12) also posted double-figures. Messiah took care of business on the defensive end of things, picking up 12 steals, seven blocks, and out-rebounding Stevenson 49-42.
 
The Falcons will be on the hunt for their fourth-straight MAC Commonwealth title on Saturday, Feb. 29. Messiah will host the winner of No. 2 Widener and No. 3 Albright.
 
Defense Sets the Tone
It was Messiah's defense that set the tone, forcing nine first-quarter turnovers. The Falcons allowed just two buckets in the opening quarter and six in the first half as the Mustangs shot 18.8% from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play (6-32). Messiah forced a total of 11 turnovers with seven steals as they held a 38-12 lead at the half.
 
While Messiah's offense was a little slow to get started, the Falcons picked things up after the first five minutes of play. After scoring just five points in the first five minutes of the opening quarter, Messiah burst ahead to take an 18-4 lead after 10 minutes of play. Jayneisha Davis led the Falcons with nine points in the period as Messiah shot 8-17 from the floor in the period.
 
The Falcons' success continued into the second quarter as they lead continued to expand. The Falcons outscored the Mustangs 20-8 in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead at the end of the first half. After 20 minutes of play, Leah Springer had already collected a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, en route to a stellar 26-point, 15-rebound performance in the runaway victory.
 
Falcons Cruise into Championship Game
Messiah's defense continued to be the story after the break, holding the Mustangs to just three field goals in the third period as Messiah ballooned their lead to 35 points at the end of the quarter. Messiah headed into the fourth quarter with a 57-22 lead after Madison Eich connected on a layup win the final seconds of the period.
 
While Stevenson scored 22 points in the third quarter, it was not enough as the Falcons rolled to the 78-44 victory.
 
In the Box Score
- Messiah held the Mustangs to a 22.6% effort from the field (14-62).
- After scoring their first bucket of the game 35 seconds into the action, Messiah led for the entirety of the game.
- Messiah's lead grew to as many as 39 points late in the fourth quarter after a Bre Jantz layup made it 75-36 with 2:39 remaining.
- Bre Jantz dropped a career-high six points, scoring on three-straight possessions for the Falcons in the fourth quarter.  
- In 26 games, Messiah has held their opponents to under 55 points in 20 contests.
- Leah Springer posted her 15th double-double of the season with a 26-point, 15-rebound performance on a 10-15 shooting effort.
- Led by Springer, 10 different Falcons scored with Jayneisha Davis (14 points) and Eleana Eckley (12 points) also going for double-digits.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah advances to the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game where they will meet the third-seeded Albright Lions, who took out the Widener Pride in the other semifinal game by an 81-73 final in overtime. The Falcons swept the Lions in the regular season, but will have their hands full on Saturday night.
 
The MAC Commonwealth Championship Game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena. The first 150 students in attendance for Saturday's Championship Game will enter for free.