GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Friday evening, the Messiah University women's basketball team cruised to an 81-48 win over Marywood University in the 2025-26 season opener. The Falcons opened the game strong with a 22-10 lead after the first quarter. The Falcons continued their strong play, outscoring the Pacers, 24-11 in the second quarter, to take a 46-21 lead at the half. The Falcons came out of the break, outscoring the Pacers by 10 to take a commanding 68-33 lead entering the fourth. The Pacers outscored the Falcons by two in the fourth, but Messiah's was too strong, and they earned an 81-48 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 27 points and nine rebounds. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 16 points, 10 assists, and four steals. Brooke Fenchel added 10 points and three blocks.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Golden Flyers of Nazareth University on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3:00 p.m. in the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament Championship Game.

First Quarter
After the Pacers scored the first basket of the game, the Falcons went on a 12-2 run to take a 12-4 lead with six minutes remaining in the first. Charlotte Milanesi started the run with a three and Hope Cook end the run with a three of her own. After some back-and-forth baskets, the Falcons ended the first with a 7-0 run to give the Falcons a 22-10 lead at the end of the first. Liv Monturo led the Falcons on the run with four points.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the second quarter with a quick 6-2 run to extend their lead to 16 points. Liv Monturo scored all six points for the Falcons during the run. After a Pacers basket, the Falcons scored four unanswered to give them a 32-14 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the half. Brooke Fenchel and Monturo each scored two points for the Falcons during the stretch. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons finished the half with a 12-2 run to put their lead at 46-21 at the break. Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons during the run with six points.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons came out of the half strong with a 9-2 run to extend the Falcons lead to 32 with six minutes remaining in the third. Liv Monturo started the run with a jumper and Hope Cook finished the run with a three. After a Pacers basket, the Falcons went on a 6-0 run, with Liv Monturo scoring all six points for the Falcons to push their lead to 61-25 with four minutes remaining in the quarter. After the two teams traded baskets for the rest of the third, EmmyFaith Wood capped of the quarter with a buzzer beater to give the Falcons a 68-33 lead entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons started the fourth the way they ended the third with a three from EmmyFaith Wood. After a 7-1 run for the Pacers, Marisa Amitie broke the run with a layup to put the score at 74-40 midway through the final quarter. After a Pacers basket, the Falcons went on a quick 5-0 run, with a jumper from Maddy Gassman and a three from Emma Fetterman. The Falcons added one more basket from Kirsten Parypinski to give Messiah the 81-47 win.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 27 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and two assists. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 16 points, 10 assists, and four steals. Brooke Fenchel added 10 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Hope Cook added nine points and four assists. EmmyFaith Wood tallied eight points and five rebounds. The Falcons shot 45.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. The Pacers shot 30.5 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Golden Flyers of Nazareth University on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3:00 p.m. in the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament Championship Game.