GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University women's basketball team used a late run to defeat the Lions of Penn St. Harrisburg, 54-48. The Falcons jumped to an early lead, outscoring the Lions 15-5. The Lions started to get into a rhythm in the second quarter, but the Falcons led the Lions 27-19 at the break. The Lions controlled the third quarter and reduced the Falcons lead to three entering the final quarter. The took a three-point lead midway through the fourth, but the Falcons finished the game on an 11-2 run to defeat the Lions, 54-48. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 21 points and six rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game strong with a 11-3 run in the first six minutes. Liv Monturo started the run with four-straight points and EmmyFaith Wood ended the run with two free throws. The Falcons outscored the Lions 4-2 in the final four minutes with Chloe Milanesi and Monturo scoring baskets for the Falcons to give Messiah a 15-5 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run. Liv Monturo added four points and Charlotte Milanesi scored on a layup to extend the Falcons lead to 21-5 midway through the second. The Lions though would not go down without a fight and ended the half with a 13-4 run. Reese Harden totaled all four points for the Falcons during the Lions run and the Falcons led 27-19 at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Lions opened the third with a quick 6-2 run in the first three minutes to reduce the Falcons lead to five. The Falcons though responded with a three from EmmyFaith Wood and a jumper from Liv Monturo to extend the Falcons lead to 34-24 midway through the third quarter. The Lions closed the third with an 11-4 run to close the Falcons lead to just three entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Lions kept the momentum going into the third with four-straight points to give the Lions a 39-38 lead with eight minutes remaining. After a Reese Harden jumper gave the Falcons back the lead the Lions responded with four-straight points to jump back up by three. The Falcons answered back again with a big Chloe Milanesi three to tie the game at 43 midways through the fourth. After three more points from the Lions, the Falcons answered back with a layup from Liv Monturo and a three from EmmyFaith Wood put the Falcons up by two. After the Lions tied the game at 48, the Falcons capped off the game with a 6-0 run that was highlighted by a three-point play from Liv Monturo to give the Falconsa 54-48 win.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 21 points and six rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Reese Harden added eight points, three assists, and three steals. Chloe Milanesi totaled six points, six rebounds, and six steals. The Falcons shot 36.7 percent from the field and 20 percent from three. The Lions shot 34.7 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m.