GRANTHAM, Pa. - Behind a 25-point performance from Jayneisha Davis, the Messiah women's basketball team improved to 5-0 on the season with a 78-52 victory over the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Thursday night. The Falcons led for the entirety of the evening and ended the game on a 33-16 run to secure the 26-point victory.
 
Davis (25) led all scorers with Leah Springer (12 points) and Eleana Eckley (10) joining her in double-figures. In addition to her 12 points, Springer added a dozen rebounds and five blocks in her second double-double of the year. Sidney Stutzman dished out six of Messiah's 20 assists in the contest.
 
With the win, Messiah runs their current winning streak to 21 games, dating back to Jan. 8, 2020. The Falcons will be back in action tomorrow night against these same Alvernia Golden Wolves in Reading, Pa. Tomorrow night's tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
 
Turnover Prone Start
The Falcons struggled to retain possession in the opening period of Thursday's game, committing 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes of play. A saving grace for the Falcons was that the Golden Wolves were just as sloppy, giving possession away 12 times in the opening period. Despite the turnover troubles, Messiah held a 17-10 lead after 10 minutes of play thanks to a strong 7-11 shooting effort from the field.
 
Jayneisha Davis set the tone for the Falcons with seven points in the period.
 
High Scoring Second
After 22 combined turnovers in the first quarter, both teams seemed to get their legs under them in the second, combining for just six turnovers in the stanza. As a result, the scoring rose. Messiah claimed the quarter, 24-19, to take a 41-29 lead into halftime.
 
Eleana Eckley knocked down a three to open the scoring in the second quarter, which gave the Falcons a 10-point lead. A three pointer from Davis and an and-one finish from Leah Springer followed to give Messiah a 26-10 lead less than two minutes into the period. That lead grew to as many as 17 points early in the quarter, but the Golden Wolves closed the gap as the game headed to halftime.
 
Messiah's lead was cut to 12 at 41-29, heading to the break.
 
Alvernia Tightens the Gap
The Golden Wolves came out quickly to start the third quarter, closing Messiah's cushion to as few as nine points on two occasions. Following a layup from Cathryn Kramer less than three minutes into the period, Messiah's lead was trimmed to 42-33. After Messiah and Alvernia traded threes the Falcons' lead held at nine points with 3:21 remaining in the quarter at 45-36.
 
Falcons Pull Away
Just as they have in recent seasons, this Falcons' team knows how to close out games. The final 13 minutes and change of the contest belonged to Messiah. Following the three-point exchange, the Falcons immediately went on a 12-0 run across the next two and a half minutes to build their lead to 57-36.
 
A three from Alvernia's Dee McCormick in the final minute of the third quarter did little to slow down the Falcons. Messiah opened the final period with the first nine points, thanks to a pair of jumpers by Davis, a bucket from Madison Eich, and a three from Eleana Eckley. The burst extended Messiah's lead to 27 points at 66-39.
 
The lead ballooned to as many as 34 points midway through the fourth quarter as the Falcons cruised to their fifth-straight victory of the season. Haley Wagman knocked down a pair of free throws in the final minute to cap off the 78-52 victory.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons and Golden Wolves will square off once again tomorrow evening in Reading. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 p.m.