GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University women's basketball team cruised to a 53-38 win over the Stevenson University Mustangs on Tuesday night. The Falcons led 16-11 after the first quarter with Morgan Adams dominating the opening quarter with eight points for the Falcons. The Falcons outscored the Mustangs by two in the second and went into the half leading Stevenson 29-22. Messiah dominated the third quarter with a 14-0 run that spanned the first nine minutes of the quarter to jump to a 43-25 lead heading into the final quarter. The Falcons put the finishing touches on the 53-28 win to earn the top seed in the MAC Commonwealth Conference Tournament that starts with the semifinals next Wednesday.
 
Up next, the Falcons conclude the regular season hosting the Eagles of Eastern University on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.
 
First Quarter
The Falcons jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first seven minutes of the first quarter with Morgan Adams scoring eight of the Falcons first 10 points. In the final three minutes, the two teams split baskets with a Chloe Milanesi jumper being the final basket of the quarter to give the Falcons a 16-11 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the second quarter strong with a 6-2 run that started with an EmmyFaith Wood jumper and ended with a layup from Sydney Hoffman to extend the Falcons lead to nine with 7:20 remaining in the half. The Mustangs though responded with a 9-3 run to put the score at 25-22 with the Falcons holding onto a lead with 2:30 remaining in the second. The Falcons headed into the locker room with four straight points on Sydney Hoffman and Reese Harden jumpers.  
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons dominated the first nine minutes of the third quarter with a 14-0 run to push the Falcons lead to 43-22. Reese Harden led the Falcons with six points during the run and Morgan Adams scored four points. The Mustangs got on the board in the third quarter with a free throw and a basket to reduce the Falcons lead to 43-25 heading into the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons and Mustangs started the fourth quarter with matching baskets for the first four minutes with Liv Monturo scoring four points for the Falcons. The Falcons then scored four straight points with Monturo scoring all four for Messiah. The Mustangs ended the game with a 7-0 run to put the final score at 53-38.
 
Stats
Morgan Adams led the Falcons with 19 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. Liv Monturo totaled 14 points, five rebounds, and a block. Reese Harden added 10 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds. The Falcons shot 42.1 percent from the field and did not make a three on five attempts. The Mustangs shot 35.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three. The Falcons forced 26 Mustang turnovers and only committed 16 turnovers.
 
Next
The Falcons conclude the regular season hosting the Eagles of Eastern University on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.