FREDERICK, Md. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball used a strong second half to defeat the Blazers of Hood College, 59-44. The Blazers and Falcons played a tight first quarter, but the Blazers had a 12-10 lead. The Blazers outscored the Falcons by two in the second and took a 27-23 lead headed into the break. The Falcons dominated the third quarter outscoring the Blazers, 19-5 to take a 46-28 lead headed into the final quarter. The Falcons outscored the Blazers by five in the fourth to defeat the Blazers, 59-44. Chloe Milanesi led the Falcons with a career-high 21 points. Reese Harden added 14 points, seven assists, two blocks, and two steals. Liv Monturo totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
In the first five minutes of the game, Hood gained an early 6-4 lead. Charlotte and Chloe Milanesi each scored a basket during the opening stretch. The Falcons quickly answered back with threes from Chloe Milanesi and Hope Cook to give the Falcons a 10-8 lead with four minutes remaining in the first. The Blazers closed the first quarter with a 4-0 run to give the Blazer a 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter
The close play continued as both teams opened the first five minutes of the second with six points each. Liv Monturo, Reese Harden, and EmmyFaith Wood each scored a basket for the Falcons during the stretch. Both teams continued to match each other this time each team scoring five to keep Hood's lead to two with two minutes remaining in the half. Hope Cook's three and a pair of Liv Monturo free throws led the Falcons during the stretch. The Blazers then outscored the Falcons 4-2 in the final two minutes to take a 27-23 lead into the break.
 
Third Quarter
After Hood opened the third with a basket, the Falcons went on a 14-0 run to take a 37-29 lead with 3:25 remaining in the third. Sydney Hoffman started the run with a layup and Chloe Milanesi ended the run with a layup. Hood added three straight points after the run, but the Falcons finished the third with a 5-0 run to take a 42-32 lead into the fourth. Reese Harden made a jumper, and Chloe Milanesi made a three for the Falcons during the final stretch of the third.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons started the fourth with a 6-0 run to push their lead to 16 with six minutes remaining in the game. Reese Harden, Liv Monturo, and Chloe Milanesi each totaled two points during the run. The Blazers though would not down without a fight, adding a 9-2 run to cut the Falcons lead to 50-41 with three minutes remaining. The Falcons though responded and outscored the Blazers 9-3 to end the game and win 59-44. Reese Harden started the run with a free throw and Chloe Milanesi ended the run with a jumper.
 
Stats
Chloe Milanesi led the Falcons with a career-high 21 points. Reese Harden added 14 points, seven assists, two blocks, and two steals. Liv Monturo totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Charlotte Milanesi added four points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The Falcons shot 42.1 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three. Hood shot 37.2 percent from the field and made no threes.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m.