GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Messiah women's basketball team improved to 2-0 after toppling host Gwynedd Mercy University, 98-68, on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons' offense was soaring all game long as
Megan Zimmerman recorded a team-high 18 points and
Leah Springer recorded a double-double, tallying 14 points and reeling in 14 assists.
In addition to Zimmerman and Springer going for double-figures in scoring,
Eleana Eckley notched 14 points, with
Haley Wagman recording a career-high 12 points. Zimmerman's team-high mark was a result of an impressive shooting performance as the senior forward shot 90% (9-10) from the floor.
The Falcons shot an impressive 56.2% (41-73) from the field after a red-hot first quarter in which Messiah converted 17 of 19 attempts. at the conclusion of the opening quarter of play, Messiah led the hosts, 38-19. Zimmerman tallied six of the Falcons' first 10 points of the contest, scoring three baskets in the paint.
Amber High got on the board at the 4:15 mark of the first quarter, draining a triple to increase Messiah's lead to a commanding 18-point advantage (25-7).
Outscoring the Griffins in the second period of play, 30-12, Messiah led at halftime, 68-31.
The Falcons picked up right where they left off in the third quarter, extending the lead to a dominating 41-point advantage when Eckley nailed a jumper to make the score 74-33. Gwynedd Mercy used a 17-3 scoring spurt to cut its deficit to 80-56 with just 38 seconds remaining in the third period of play. Three-straight points from High in the closing 14 seconds of the quarter off a made free-throw attempt and a fastbreak layup had the Falcons up by 27 (83-56) heading into the final quarter of play.
Messiah narrowly outscored the Griffins in the fourth quarter, 15-12, to clinch the 98-68 road decision. The Falcons had 10 different players record points in the victory as Springer, with nine assists to her name, was just one assist shy of notching a triple-double.
What's Next
Messiah (2-0) will be back in action this Tuesday, Nov. 16, traveling to Gettysburg College for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.