GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University women's basketball team used a big fourth quarter to comeback and defeat the Eastern University Eagles, 48-43 to conclude the 2023-24 regular season. The Falcons took an early 11-8 lead after the first quarter, but the Eagles controlled the second quarter to take a 24-22 lead at the half. Eastern pushed their lead to four entering the fourth, but the Falcons came back due to some clutch free throws at the end of the fourth quarter to defeat the Eagles, 48-43. Reese Harden dominated for the Falcons totaling 24 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Alvernia University Golden Wolves in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.

First Quarter
The Falcons and Eagles opened the first quarter with matching buckets with Reese Harden making a three and Morgan Adams adding in a jumper to put the score at 5-5 with 3:51 remaining the quarter. After an Eagles layup the Falcons ended the quarter with a 6-1 run that started with a Chloe Milanesi layup and ended with two free throws from Reese Harden to give the Falcons a 11-8 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the first two and half minutes with a quick 5-2 run that was highlighted by a jumper from Liv Monturo. The Eagles then went on a 7-0 run in the next three minutes to take a 17-16 lead with 4:30 remaining in the half. The two teams then traded baskets before the Eagles scored four straight points to close the half leading 24-22.
 
Third Quarter
The Eagles kept the momentum going to start the second half with two more baskets to extend their lead to six with 8:30 remaining in the third. After three minutes of scoreless basketball, the Falcons scored three straight points on three free throws from Reese Harden to reduce the Eagles lead to four with 2:24 remaining in the third. The Eagles closed out the third outscoring the Falcons 5-4, with Charlotte Milanesi scoring a jumper for Messiah to end the third quarter with the Falcons trailing 33-29.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Eagles looked to hold onto to their lead and started the first four minutes of the fourth outscoring the Falcons 5-4 to increase their lead to five with 6:00 minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons then outscored the Eagles 7-4 with a Chloe Milanesi three highlighting the scoring for the Falcons to reduce the Eagles lead to two with 2:26 remaining in the game. The Falcons then finished the game strong with a 7-1 run that was led by four free throws from Reese Harden to defeat the Eagles to 48-43.  
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and steal. Chloe Milanesi added eight points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block. Morgan Adams totaled five points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three steals. The Falcons shot 27.5 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three. The Eagles shot 31.8 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Alvernia University Golden Wolves in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.