GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team rolled to a 75-53 win over the Albright College Lions in the 2025 MAC Commonwealth opener. The two teams battled in the first quarter until the Falcons ended the first quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 19-14 lead into the second. The Falcons dominated the second quarter outscoring the Lions by 10 to take a 39-24 lead into the half. The Falcons continued to push their lead, outscoring the Lions, 18-12 in the third to take a 57-35 lead into the fourth quarter. The Falcons capped off the win outscoring the Lions by one to win 75-53. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 19 points and six rebounds. Reese Harden totaled 11 points. EmmyFaith Wood added 10 points and four assists.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The two teams traded baskets in the first three minutes to keep the scored tied at six. Reese Harden, Sydney Hoffman, and Liv Monturo each scored a basket for the Falcons during the stretch. Both teams then scored four points each in the next five minutes, as both defenses shut down the offense. After the Lions outscored the Falcons 4-3, the Falcons finished the first with a 6-0 run to take a 19-14 lead. Chloe Milanesi, EmmyFaith Wood, and Monturo each tallied a basket during the short run.
 
Second Quarter
The Lions started the second quarter with two straight buckets, but the Falcons responded with an 8-2 run to give the Falcons a seven-point lead with five minutes remaining in the half. The run started with a jumper from Charlotte Milanesi and ended with a Chloe Milanesi jumper. After a pair of free throws from the Lions, the Falcons offense caught fire to end the half. The Falcons outscored the Lions 10-2 to give Messiah a commanding 39-24 lead at the break. Reese Harden and Liv Monturo each led the Falcons in the run with four points each.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons kept the momentum going from the end of the first half with a 13-2 run that pushed the Falcons lead to 52-26 with four minutes remaining in the third. Liv Monturo started the run with a layup and Hope Cook capped it off with a three. The Lions outscored the Falcons 10-5 in the final four minutes of the third to reduce the Falcons lead to 57-36. EmmyFaith Wood and Monturo each tallied a basket during the Lions run.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons continued to roll with a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter to give the Falcons a 31-point lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth. The Falcon's run was highlighted by an Ainsley Bell three. The Lions then went on a 14-2 run to reduce the Falcons lead to 71-53 with less than minute remaining in the game. The Falcons then outscored the Lions 6-3 in the final 30 seconds to give the Falcons a 75-53 win. Lydia Ehst tallied four points and Isabella Ipri scored two for the Falcons in the final stretch. The points were the first career points for Ehst.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 19 points and six rebounds. Reese Harden totaled 11 points. EmmyFaith Wood added 10 points and four assists. Chloe Milanesi tallied eight points, seven steals, five rebounds, and four assists. Charlotte Milanesi also scored eight points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. The Falcons shot 50.9 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three. The Lions shot 36.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The Falcons defense was flying all over the court, forcing 23 turnovers.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1:00 p.m.