GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University women's basketball team dominated the second half to defeat the Alvernia University Golden Wolves, 69-45, in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals. The Falcons and Golden Wolves were close at the half with the Falcons just leading 29-27. The Falcons opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run and never looked back. The Falcons then continued to push the scoring throughout the third to lead the Golden Wolves 48-36 heading into the final quarter. The Falcons continued to hold the Golden Wolves in the fourth and Falcons defeated the Golden Wolves, 69-45. With the win, the Falcons will be making their ninth straight MAC Commonwealth Championship game. Reese Harden led the Falcons with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists. In the fourth quarter, Reese Harden became the 25th player in program history to reach 1000 career points.
 
Up next, the Falcons will host the second-seeded Widener University Pride in the MAC Commonwealth Championship game on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3:00 p.m. at Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.
 
 
First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game with a quick 4-0 run that featured a Sydney Hoffman layup and a Reese Harden jumper. The Golden Wolves came back with a 7-2 run to give Alvernia a 7-6 lead midway through the first quarter. The Falcons then closed the first quarter with a 6-2 run that started with a Chloe Milanesi three and ended with a Reese Harden layup to give the Falcons a 12-8 lead at the end of the first.
 
Second Quarter
The Golden Wolves opened the second quarter with a 12-2 run in the first four minutes to give the Golden Wolves a 20-14 lead. The Falcons then responded to the run with a 8-2 run that was highlighted by a big Kiara Bomboy three to tie the game at 22 with 3:30 remaining in the half. The two teams traded baskets before Liv Monturo made a layup with 30 seconds remaining in the half to give the Falcons a 29-27 lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the third quarter on fire with a 10-0 run in the first four minutes that was highlighted by five points from Chloe Milanesi to give the Falcons a 40-27 lead. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons then went on a 6-2 run that was led by four points from Morgan Adams to put the Falcons up by 17. The Golden wolves closed the quarter with five straight points to reduce the Messiah lead to 48-36 entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth quarter with a 5-0 for the first two minutes that was led by three more points from Morgan Adams. Alvernia looked to fight back with a 6-3 stretch, but then the Falcons went on a 9-0 run that was capped off by a Reese Harden three to put the Falcons up 65-42 with 3:50 remaining in the game. The two teams traded baskets to end the game with Liv Monturo closing the scoring with a layup with 43 seconds remaining to give the Falcons a 69-45 win.
 
Reese Harden's 1000th Career Point
With a free throw in the fourth quarter, Reese Harden became the 25th player in program history to reach 1000 career points. Harden entered the game needing 19 points to reach the milestone and Harden led the Falcons on the night with 20 points.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Chloe Milanesi had a dominant game totaling 17 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks. Morgan Adams added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. The Falcons shot 44.8 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from behind the arc. The Golden Wolves shot 27.1 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons will host the second-seeded Widener University Pride in the MAC Commonwealth Championship game on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3:00 p.m. at Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.