GRANTHAM, PA – The Messiah women's basketball team claimed their sixth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship on Sunday afternoon by defeating the second-seeded Widener Pride 69-55 on their home floor. The Falcons built a nine-point halftime lead before ballooning their lead to as many as 21 points in the second half en route to the Conference Championship victory.

The Falcons had a number of key performances on the afternoon, but none bigger than Leah Springer. The Tournament's Most Valuable Player, Springer was on triple-double watch throughout the game, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks, four assists, and three steals.

As mentioned, Messiah claims their sixth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship and 14th overall. The Falcons have earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Falcons will find out where they are heading and who their opponent is on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The Selection Show can be seen on Monday afternoon at ncaa.com.

Preview
This was the third time that Messiah had faced Widener this season and they had split the season series going into today's matchup. Back on Jan. 17, Messiah took care of Widener 77-53 with Leah Springer and Morgan Adams scoring 19 and 18 points respectively in the win. Most recently, a little over a week ago on Feb. 19, it was Widener who came out on top with a win 72-66. Widener used a dominant third quarter in that game to flip the script of the game and claim the No. 2 seed in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.

This was also a rematch of last season's MAC Commonwealth Championship Game where Messiah claimed their fifth-straight MAC Commonwealth Title, defeating Widener 60-45.

First Quarter, Messiah leads 19-11
Messiah got on board first with a quick two from Stutzman to start off the scoring in the first quarter. After an answer from Widener, Springer knocked down a corner three and a jumper to take a 7-3 lead. That lead grew to 11-5 at the midway point of the first. The Falcons held an eight-point lead at the half 19-11. Springer led Messiah scorers with five points while Nicole Barnes led Widener with five as well in the first quarter.

Halftime, Messiah leads 36-27
The lead grew to as much as ten (21-11), but the Pride hung around spreading the floor and driving to the lane to cut the deficit to five at 25-20. After a Stutzman layup it prompted a Widener timeout with under seven to go in the half with Messiah's lead at 27-20. The game went scoreless for a two-minute stretch late in the half Jasmine Franklin of Widener hit a two and then Springer responded with a three with 2:20 to go. The Falcons led at the half 36-27 thanks to at that point, a game high ten points from Leah Springer. Stutzman added eight in the half as well. Leading scorer for Widener was Nicole Barnes with eight.

Messiah shot 57% from the floor compared to Widener's 32% in the first half while each team made two threes in the first half. Messiah went 2-7 from beyond the arc while Widener went 2-10.

Third Quarter, Messiah leads 55-38
Harden kicked off the third with a layup and Zimmerman added an 18-ft jumper to increase the lead to 13 (40-27). With 7:15 remaining, Widener called a timeout as Messiah had used an 8-2 run to start the second half and led 44-29. The game quickly got out of hand for the Pride as Messiah's lead grew to 20 with six minutes to go. The Falcons continued to put the game away and led by as much as 21 and took a 17-point lead into the final quarter of action.

Final, Messiah wins MAC Championship 69-55
Messiah would go on to claim their sixth straight MAC Commonwealth Championship, not allowing Widener any room to make it a close game, as the Falcons won 69-55. Widener came as close as 13 (64-51) but Messiah was too much for the Pride in the final quarter of play. Springer continued to dominate the fourth quarter as she had done all game and finished the day with a game high 22 points.

In the Box Score
Leah Springer had a double-double on the afternoon, with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding seven blocks in the game. Reese Harden had 15 points in the game as well. Messiah as a team would finish the game shooting 54% from the floor and 25% from three.

Jordan D'Ambrosio led Widener with 15 points. As a team, Widener shot 31% from the field and also 25% from three. Widener out-rebounded Messiah 40-31 and dominated the offensive boards, 22-8.

What's Up Next
With the win, Messiah claims their sixth straight MAC Commonwealth Championship. They earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will find out where they slot in the bracket on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.