GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah women's basketball team fell to the Widener Pride in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 68-62. The Falcons held a 32-22 lead at the half, but consistent scoring from the Pride after the break lifted Widener to the Conference Championship.
 
The setback for the Falcons snaps a streak of seven-straight Conference Titles for women's basketball. For the Pride, they claim their fifth Conference Championship as part of the Middle Atlantic Conference.
 
Messiah moves to 22-5 on the season and will keep a close eye on the Selection Show that will air on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on ncaa.com. The Falcons will hope to hear their name called as one of the 22 at-large teams selected to compete in the 64-team National Tournament that begins next weekend.
 
First Quarter
The Pride took an early 6-3 lead in the first two minutes, but the Falcons answered back with a 7-0 run that was highlighted by a Chloe Milanesi three to give the Falcons a 10-6 lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The two teams had some back-and-forth baskets, but the Falcons scored four straight points on two Reese Harden free throws and a Chloe Milanesi jumper to give the Falcons a 16-10 lead with 2:21 remaining in the quarter. The Pride then outscored the Falcons 4-2 to close the quarter to give the Falcons a 18-14 lead after the first quarter.  
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons started the second quarter strong with a 10-2 run that started with a Chloe Milanesi jumper and ended with two free throws from Reese Harden to give the Falcons a 28-16 lead with 4:28 remaining in the half. The two teams then split baskets going into the half with Liv Monturo and Chloe Milanesi scoring for the Falcons to give Messiah a 32-22 lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Pride started the third quarter strong with a 11-2 run that put Widener within one with 6:56 remaining in the quarter. Hope Cook hit a big three for the Falcons to end the Pride run and put the Falcons up 37-33. The two teams then matched baskets before the Pride hit a three with 3:51 remaining in the third to put Widener within one. The two teams traded baskets with EmmyFaith Wood scoring and Reese Harden adding two free throws for the Falcons before the Pride scored a basket with 32 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 46 entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons started the fourth with a 5-2 run that was highlighted by baskets from Morgan Adams and Reese Harden to take a 51-48 lead with 7:10 remaining in the fourth. The Pride then went on a 5-2 run of their own to tie the game at 53 with 4:15 remaining in the game. The thrilling championship game continued with back-and-forth play that led to a tie game at 58 with 1:55 remaining off two Morgan Adams free throws. After a Pride bucket to take the lead, Reese Harden hit two big free throws to tie the game again with 1:12 to play. The Pride then closed the game out on an 8-2 run to win the MAC Commonwealth Championship game 68-62.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 19 points, six rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist. Chloe Milanesi added 14 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Liv Monturo totaled 10 points, three rebounds, and a block. The Falcons shot 38.8 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the arc. The Pride shot 56.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three.
 
Next
Messiah moves to 22-5 on the season and will keep a close eye on the Selection Show that will air on Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.