GRANTHAM, Pa. - In a season like no other, the Messiah women's basketball team came away with the 2021 MAC Commonwealth Championship and an undefeated 11-0 season. They defeated the visiting Widener University Pride Thursday night in Hitchcock Arena. The Pride hung tough with the Falcons for the bulk of the contest, trailing just 27-22 at halftime. After the break, Widener was unable to get any closer than seven points as Messiah kept them at bay throughout the whole game in their eventual 60-45 victory.

Jayneisha Davis led the way for Messiah in her final game as a Falcon, scoring 23 points to go along with five steals and four rebounds. Leah Springer picked up her fourth consecutive double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Unfortunately, the NCAA canceled winter championships right before the season started on Feb.3, making this the final game for Messiah in the 2021 season. However, they are riding a 27-game winning streak going into the 2021-22 season, dating back to Jan. 11, 2020.

Back And Forth First Half
Messiah jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead off the strength of four Leah Springer points before Widener began to get it going. They made a three to make it 6-5 before a Nicole Barnes jumper gave the Pride a 7-6 lead.
 
Messiah would use a quick 8-0 run to take the lead back 14-7. Jayneisha Davis fueled the run with six points for the Falcons. Four straight Widener points sent it to the second quarter with Messiah holding a slight 14-11 advantage.
 
The Falcons would use another six Davis points to generate a 10-4 flurry that stretched over most of the second quarter and put Messiah up 24-15. Widener would claw right back into the contest though, cutting the lead to just two at 24-22 after a 7-0 run that was led by four Kyra Schenk points. A late Eleana Eckley three would give Messiah the aforementioned 27-22 lead at halftime.
 
Falcons Hang Tough
Messiah kept their momentum coming out of the break, using a 5-0 streak to give them their largest lead of the game at 32-22 after a Megan Zimmerman jumper. The Falcons led by as many as 13 in the third quarter, but the Pride would not go away, going into the final quarter down by 11 at 42-31.
 
Widener found themselves down by just eight after two Kyra Schenk free throws made it 49-41 with 3:35 and gave them a little momentum with plenty of time to play. That momentum was halted when Jayneisha Davis made a move to her right at the free throw line and drove in to find a layup with the foul and sent the Falcon bench into a frenzy.
 
She converted the and-one to make it 53-41 and silenced any doubts about the outcome of the game. Messiah would go on to win 60-45 to complete their perfect, 11-0 season.
 
Inside The Box Score
The Falcons recorded 10 steals in the game, giving them double-digit steals in every game this season and 142 total. Jayneisha Davis finished the season with 46 total steals and 114 in her career as a Falcon. Messiah averaged 68 points per game offensively while allowing 45 points per game defensively. They ended the season with 60 or more points in every game but one.
 
What's Up Next
As mentioned, the Falcons season ends with an 11-0 record and their fifth consecutive MAC Commonwealth Championship. They will take a 27-game winning streak into the 2021-22 season.