READING, Pa. – The Messiah women's basketball team used a strong offensive performance to dominate MAC Commonwealth rival, Alvernia University, 79-57 on Wednesday night. The Falcons controlled play in the first half with a halftime lead of 38-17. The Falcons continued to control the game and did not allow a large Alvernia comeback in the second-half to defeat the Golden Wolves. Reese Harden, Morgan Adams, Chloe Milanesi, and Kiara Bomboy each scored in double-digits to lead the Falcons.
 
Up next, the Falcons return to Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena to matchup against the Spartans of York on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons got off to a good start with a 6-2 run that took up the first four minutes of the first quarter. Reese Harden got the run started with a jumper and Morgan Adams added two buckets to give the Falcons an early lead. After a Golden Wolves bucket, the Falcons ended the quarter with a big 11-2 run that started with a jumper from Adams and ended with a jumper from Sydney Hoffman give the Falcons a 17-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons rode the momentum of the first quarter and dominated the first seven minutes of the second quarter with a 17-2 run. The run was led by two big threes from Kiara Bomboy and five points from Reese Harden to push the Falcons lead to 36-8. Alvernia though was not going away without a fight putting together a 9-2 run to end the half to reduce the Falcons lead to 38-17.
 
Third Quarter
The third quarter started more even with both teams splitting baskets in the first three minutes with Chloe Milanesi scoring four points for the Falcons. The Falcons then went on a quick 7-2 run with Reese Harden totaling five points in the run to push the Falcons lead to 49-26 with four minutes remaining in the quarter. The two teams then traded baskets with Hope Cook ending the scoring in the third with a three to put the Falcons up 59-35 headed into the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
With the Falcons up big, they just needed to continue to match baskets and run the clock down. The Falcons did just that answering almost every basket the Golden Wolves put into the basket. Chloe Milanesi scored six points in the quarter off two threes and Reese Harden and Charlotte Milanesi each added five points to give the Falcons a 79-57 win.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 19 points and added four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Morgan Adams totaled a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Chloe Milanesi finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Kiara Bomboy added 11 points and five rebounds. The Falcons shot 47.7 percent from the field and 68.8 percent from three. Alvernia shot 41.8 percent from the field and 7.1 percent from behind the arc.
 
Next
The Falcons return to Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena to matchup against the Spartans of York on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2:00 p.m.