GRANTHAM, Pa. – The top-seeded Messiah women's basketball team is set to clash with No. 8 Alvernia University in the MAC Commonwealth Quarterfinals tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena. The Falcons, who hold a national rank (WBCA) of 14, finished the 2021-22 regular season with an overall record of 20-3, winning 14 of their 16 MAC Commonwealth contests.
Messiah is seeking its sixth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship crown.
No. 8 Alvernia bested No. 9 Hood College, 78-42, in the tournament Play-In on Monday night. The three other Quarterfinals matchups include No. 5 Albright College at No. 4 Stevenson University, No. 6 Lebanon Valley College at No. 3 York College (Pa.), and No. 7 Eastern University at No. 2 Widener University. The Semifinals will be held this Friday, Feb. 25, with the Final being held on Sunday, Feb. 27. All games will be hosted by the higher seed.
The Falcons, on average, allow just 50.2 points per game, a conference-best mark. Messiah is shooting a conference-leading .438% from the floor, shooting over 50% in five different contests this season. Individually, the Falcons have several reliable contributors.
Leah Springer is having a phenomenal season, leading the conference in points (403) and points-per-game (18.3). The graduate forward has recorded double-digits scoring in all 22 games played, most notably a career-high 32 points in a road win at Albright (Jan. 26).
Morgan Adams has made notable contributions as well, averaging 8.8 points per game while
Reese Harden has been shooting an impressive .439% from the field.
Messiah traveled to Reading, Pa., to take on the Golden Wolves back on Feb. 12th. The game was decided by just two points as the Falcons escaped with a narrow 60-58 decision behind a career-high 16 points from Harden. The Falcons trailed Alvernia by seven points (54-47) with just 4:42 left in the contest before Harden took over. The sophomore guard tallied eight points in the final 2:30 of action to propel Messiah to its 13th-consecutive victory.
The two sides were scheduled to meet on Jordan Court on Saturday, Jan. 8th, but the matchup was cancelled due to COVID-19 complications. Tomorrow's matchup is the second meeting between the two conference foes as the Falcons look to advance to their 25th-straight conference semifinals.
Be sure to tune-in to GoMessiah.TV on Wednesday night for the Quarterfinals matchup!
