GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University women's basketball used a career-high 31 points from Reese Harden to defeat the Pride of Widener University, 76-56. The two teams went back-and-forth during the beginning of the first quarter, but the Falcons outscored the Pride, 21-15 to take an early lead. The Falcons outscored the Pride by four in the second quarter to take a 42-32 lead into the break. The Pride outscored the Falcons by two in the third to reduce the Falcons lead to eight headed into the fourth. The Pride cut the Falcons lead to five, but the Falcons dominated the rest of the fourth to earn a 76-56 win. Reese Harden led the Falcons with a career-high 31 points, with three assists, two steals, and a block. Liv Monturo totaled a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Chloe Milanesi added 13 points, six rebounds, and six steals.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Spartans of York College on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m.

First Quarter
Both teams opened the game strong going back-and-forth with baskets, but Widener earned an early 9-7 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first. Chloe Milanesi made a three for the Falcons during the opening stretch of the game. The Falcons then responded with a quick 7-0 run to take a five-point lead with four minutes remaining in the quarter. Chloe Milanesi made another three and Reese Harden and Liv Monturo each added layups. After the Pride made a couple of baskets, the Falcons went on another 7-0 run to extend their lead to eight eighth under a minute remaining in the quarter. Hope Cook led the Falcons during the run with five points. The Pride made a jumper at the buzzer to reduce the Falcons lead to 21-15 at the end of the first.

Second Quarter
After Widener opened the quarter with a 4-2 stretch, the Falcons went on a 9-1 run to push their lead to 32-19 with four minutes remaining in the half. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with four points during the run and Reese Harden added a three. The two teams then matched each other on the offensive end, going back-and-forth to end the half. The Pride though scored three more points than the Falcons to reduce the Falcons lead to 42-32 at the break. Reese Harden led the Falcons during the final stretch of the half with six points.

Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the third outscoring the Pride 8-7 in the first four minutes of the quarter to push their lead to 50-39. Reese Harden and Chloe Milanesi each totaled four points during the stretch for the Falcons. The Pride then outscored the Falcons 7-4 to finish off the third quarter, reducing the Falcons lead to 54-46 entering the fourth. Reese Harden scored all four points for the Falcons during the stretch.

Fourth Quarter
The Pride opened the fourth quarter strong with a quick 5-2 run to reduce the Falcons lead to five with eight minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons offense then took off rattling off a 12-3 run to take a 68-54 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the game. Reese Harden led the Falcons with six points and Liv Monturo added four points for the Falcons during the run. The Falcons finished the game off with an 8-2 run to earn the 76-56 win. Charlotte Milanesi started the run with a layup and Justine Forbes finished the game off with a layup.

Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with a career-high 31 points, with three assists, two steals, and a block. Liv Monturo totaled a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Chloe Milanesi added 13 points, six rebounds, and six steals. Charlotte Milanesi totaled four points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The Falcons shot 40.6 percent from the field and 17.4 percent from three. The Pride shot 44.9 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Spartans of York College on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m. With a win the Falcons will clinch the top-seed in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.