ST. DAVID'S, Pa. – The Messiah women's basketball team picked up a convincing 75-44 win over the Eastern University Eagles to stay perfect and move to 9-0 on the season. Leah Springer led the way for the Falcons, picking up her second double-double in a row and fifth of the season, scoring 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Eleana Eckley (12 pts.), Jayneisha Davis (11 pts.), and Faith Grula (10 pts.) all joined Springer with double-digit points in the game.
 
Messiah led 45-14 after the first half and never looked back in their victory. Eleven different Falcons scored in the contest. Messiah will host the Eagles tomorrow night in Hitchcock Arena for senior night at 7:00 p.m. Jayneisha Davis and Brooke Breinich will be honored for the Falcons.

Seizing A Big Lead
Messiah got off to a great start Thursday night, grabbing a 14-2 lead over Eastern just under seven minutes into the first quarter. Leah Springer led the way during this flurry with six points while Jayneisha Davis had four points. The Eagles would pick up a late three, but Messiah would hold a 20-5 lead after the first quarter.
 
The second quarter was more of the same for the Falcons as they held a 24-5 lead before getting hot from downtown. Eleana Eckley, Davis, and Haley Wagman knocked down a combined four threes in the second quarter to help grow Messiah's lead to 31. They took a 45-14 lead into the break.
 
Staying Hot
Messiah held a 47-17 lead early in the third quarter before a Jaelyn Harris layup gave Eastern their first two-point field goal of the game with 7:38 to play in the quarter. The Falcons took a 60-26 lead into the final quarter. Eckley led Messiah with five points in the third quarter while Springer had four.
 
Messiah was outscored in the fourth quarter by the Eagles 18-15, but came away with a comfortable 75-44 win to move to 9-0 on the season. They have a chance to cap off a perfect regular season tomorrow night in Hitchcock Arena at 7:00 p.m.
 
Inside The Box Score
Messiah continued their impressive defense against the Eagles. They picked up 14 more steals, giving them double-digits in every game this season and 118 total to lead the MAC Commonwealth. Jayneisha Davis leads the conference with 36 total steals. The Falcons are holding their opponents to just 45.8 points per game, which leads the conference by a wide margin. Messiah also leads the conference in points per game at 68.4.  
 
What's Up Next
As mentioned, the Falcons will play at home in Hitchcock Arena tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. against Eastern with a chance to finish off a perfect regular season.