ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – On Sunday afternoon, the twenty-fifth ranked Messiah University women's basketball team fell to the twenty-fourth ranked Cardinals of Catholic University, 62-47. The Falcons started the game strong with a 13-10 lead after the first quarter. The Cardinals outscored the Falcons by two in the second quarter, but the Falcons held a 25-24 lead at the break. The Cardinals though ended the third quarter with a 14-0 run to take a 43-31 lead entering the fourth. The Falcons attempted a comeback but did not come within eight in the fourth and Cardinals earned the 62-47 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with a career-high 24 points, with 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Reese Harden totaled seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
 
Up next, the Falcons continue to play at the St. Pete's Tournament against the Eagles of Husson University on Monday, dec. 30 at 3:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game with a 7-0 run in the first two and a half minutes. Liv Monturo started the game strong with six straight points and Charlotte Milanesi added a free throw to give the Falcons the early lead. The Cardinals responded with a 10-2 run to give Catholic a 10-9 lead with 3:39 remaining in the first. The Falcons ended the quarter with two straight baskets from Hope Cook and Monturo and give the Falcons a 13-10 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Cardinals opened the second quarter with a 5-1 run to take a one-point lead with less than seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The back-and-forth battle continued with the Falcons answering back with a 7-2 run to give the Falcons a 21-17 lead with 4:30 remaining in the half. Liv Monturo scored all seven points for the Falcons during the run. The Cardinals then answered the Messiah run with a 5-0 run to give the Cardinals back the lead with just under two minutes to go in the half. The Falcons ended the second with a quick 4-2 stretch with Reese Harden and Sydney Hoffman each scoring a basket to give the Falcons a 25-24 lead at the break.
 
Third Quarter
In the first six minutes, the Falcons outscored the Cardinals 6-5 to increase the Falcons lead to two. Liv Monturo continued to dominate adding four points and Reese Harden added a basket for the Falcons. The Cardinals though ending the third with a 14-0 run to take a 43-31 lead entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
In the first five minutes of the fourth, the Falcons were trying to make a comeback. The Falcons outscored the Cardinals 12-8 to reduce the Cardinals lead to eight. The Falcons' stretch was highlighted by an EmmyFaith Wood three that put the score at 51-43 with five minutes remaining in the fourth. The Cardinals ended the game with a 11-4 run to defeat the Falcons, 62-47.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with a career-high 24 points, with 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Reese Harden totaled seven points, five rebounds, and four assists. Raegan Fogarty totaled six points and four rebounds. The falcons shot 33.3 percent from the field and five percent from three. The Cardinals shot 34.7 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons continue to play at the St. Pete's Tournament against the Eagles of Husson University on Monday, dec. 30 at 3:00 p.m.