GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 24 Messiah women's basketball team extended their winning streak to 15 games with a 55-14 victory over the visiting Albright Lions on Saturday evening. Three Falcons went for double-digits with Megan Zimmerman's 18 points lead the way in the double-digit victory.
 
The Falcons trailed 8-6 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored the Lions 35-17 across the second and third quarters for a 41-25 lead heading to the final quarter. While Albright held a 16-14 advantage in the fourth, Messiah claimed their 11th conference victory of the season.
 
Messiah will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Hood College for a 1:00 p.m. game with the Blazers on Feb. 4.
 
How It Happened
It was a low-scoring opening quarter for both teams as the Falcons and Lions combined for just 14 points after 10 minutes of play. Thanks to a late layup from Gabby Boggs, the Lions held an 8-6 lead over the Falcons heading to the second quarter.
 
The Falcons took command of the game in the second quarter, outscoring Albright 15-7 in the period and taking a 21-15 lead at the break. The Falcons opened the period with a 10-2 run thanks to a pair of buckets from Megan Zimmerman and Amber High as well as a jumper from Reese Harden. After the Lions cut the margin to just one point at 16-15, the Falcons scored the final five points of the half with jumpers from Morgan Adams and Reese Harden as well as a free throw from Harden.
 
After the half, Messiah picked up right where they left off, building their lead to 15 points at 33-18 just less than five minutes into the half. The trio of Harden, Adams, and Zimmerman each scored four points in the early portion of the third quarter to fuel the Messiah run. The lead grew to as many as 17 point late in the half following a jumper from Harden at 41-24. A late free throw from the Lions made it a 41-25 Messiah lead with 10 minutes remaining.
 
 Over the final quarter, Albright chipped away at the Falcons lead, cutting the deficit to as few as 10 at 51-41 with 2:35 to play. However, the Falcons scored the final four points of the contest with buckets from Harden and Adams as the Falcons earned the 55-41 victory.
 
As mentioned, Megan Zimmerman led the way for the Falcons with 18 points with Reese Harden's 17 and Morgan Adams' 14 close behind. Adams and Chloe Milanesi each grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in the contest.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 18-2 on the season and 11-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 4 when they travel to the Hood Blazers at 1:00 p.m.