KISSIMMEE, Fla. – On Monday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team fell to the nineteenth-ranked Royals of Bethel University, 71-64. The Falcons opened the game strong with four-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Royals outscored the Falcons by two in the second, but the Falcons took a 31-29 lead at the half. The Royals outscored the Falcons by seven in the third to take a five-point lead headed into the fourth quarter. The Falcons took a one-point lead midway through the fourth, but the Royals ended the game on a 14-6 run to earn the 71-64 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 16 points and four rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 15 points and six rebounds. Charlotte Milanesi added 14 points and three assists.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Mustangs of Stevenson University on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 5:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The Royals opened the first five minutes of the game with an 11-6 run. April Kauffeldt, Charlotte Milanesi, and Liv Monturo each tallied a basket during the opening stretch. The Falcons then responded with an 11-2 run to close out the first quarter with a 17-13 lead. Hope Cook highlighted the Falcons run with a three.
 
Second Quarter
The Royals opened second quarter outscoring the Falcons 9-5 in the first five minutes to tie the game at 22. Hope Cook led the Falcons with three points and Liv Monturo added two points for the Falcons during the stretch. After the Royals outscored the Falcons 5-4, the Falcons closed out the half with a 5-0 run to take a 31-29 lead at the half. EmmyFaith Wood hit a three and Cook made a pair of free throws during the final run.
 
Third Quarter
The Royals opened the third with a 10-3 run to take a five-point lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the third. April Kauffeldt drained a three for the lone basket for the Falcons during the run. The Falcons then responded with an 8-2 run to take a 42-41 lead with four minutes remaining in the third. EmmyFaith Wood started the run with a layup and Brooke Fenchel closed the run with a layup. The Royals then went on an 8-0 run to take a seven-point lead with two minutes remaining in the third. The Falcons then outscored the Royals by two in the final two minutes to reduce the Bethel lead to 53-48 entering the final quarter. Wood led the Falcons with four points and Charlotte Milanesi added a basket for the Falcons during the stretch,
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth quarter strong with a 10-4 run to open the first five minutes of the final quarter. Liv Monturo started the run with a basket and Charlotte Milanesi closed the run with a layup. The Royals finished the game strong with a 14-6 run to earn the 71-64 win.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 16 points and four rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 15 points and six rebounds. Charlotte Milanesi added 14 points and three assists. Hope Cook totaled eight points. April Kauffeldt added seven points and 11 rebounds. The Falcons shot 53.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from behind the arc. The Royals shot 55.6 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three.
 
Next
 The Falcons host the Mustangs of Stevenson University on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 5:00 p.m.