HUNTINGDON, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the twenty-fifth ranked Messiah University women's basketball team defeated the Eagles of Juniata College, 65-50. The Falcons started the game strong with a 25-16 lead after the first quarter. The Falcons outscored the Eagles by one in the second quarter to take a 38-28 lead going into the half. The scoring slowed down in the third, but the Falcons continued to up their lead to 12 heading into the final quarter. The Falcons added 17 more points in the fourth to defeat the Eagles, 65-50. Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Reese Harden added 17 points and four assists. Chloe Milanesi totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds. Liv Monturo also scored in double figures adding 13 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons to St. Petersburg, Fla. to take on the Cardinals of Catholic University in the St. Pete's Classic on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 11:00 a.m.

First Quarter
Both teams traded baskets to keep the game tied in the first three minutes. Chloe Milanesi led the Falcons during the stretch with a three. The Falcons then responded with a quick 5-2 run to give the Falcons a 12-9 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first. Reese Harden totaled three points during the run and Liv Monturo added a basket. After the Eagles responded with a five-point run, the Falcons finished the quarter with a 13-2 run to give the Falcons a 25-16 lead after the first. Harden started the run with four-straight made free throws and Ainsley Bell ended the run with a jumper.  
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons started the second quarter with the only points in the first two and half minutes on a Chloe Milanesi three to give the Falcons a 12-point lead. The Eagles then responded with a 6-2 run in the next two minutes to reduce the Falcons lead to eight with 5:30 remaining in the half. The Falcons then went on a 8-3 run that was highlighted by threes from Charlotte Milanesi and Justine Forbes to push the Falcons lead back to 13. The Eagles scored the remaining three points in the half to reduce the Falcons lead to 38-28 entering the half.
 
Third Quarter
The two teams opened the second half with strong defense with only four points scored from each team in the first four and half minutes. Charlotte Milanesi and Liv Monturo each scored a basket for the Falcons. The Falcons then scored two straight baskets from Reese Harden and Chloe Milanesi to give the Falcons a 46-32 lead just under midway through the third. The Eagles outscored the Falcons 4-2 to close out the third quarter with the Falcons leading 48-36 heading into the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons outscored the Eagles 7-5 in the first five minutes of the fourth to extend their lead to 55-41. Liv Monturo led the Falcons during the stretch with five points. The Eagles then outscored the Falcons 6-4 in the next two minutes to reduce the Falcons lead to 12 with three minutes remaining in the game. Reese Harden and Charlotte Milanesi each scored a basket for the Falcons. The Falcons ended the game outscoring the Eagles 6-3 to defeat the Eagles, 65-50. Charlotte Milanesi scored four points and Sydney Hoffman added two points to close out the game for the Falcons.
 
Stats
Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Reese Harden added 17 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Chloe Milanesi totaled 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Liv Monturo also scored in double figures adding 13 points with three rebounds and two steals. The Falcons shot 43.6 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. The Eagles shot 42.2 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three. The Falcons defense forced 24 Eagles' turnovers and took advantage of those turnovers scoring 25 points off turnovers in the game.
 
Next
The Falcons to St. Petersburg, Fla. to take on the Cardinals of Catholic University in the St. Pete's Classic on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 11:00 a.m.