ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team used a dominant effort to defeat the Eagles of Eastern University, 71-37. The two teams played a tight first quarter, but the Falcons took an 11-9 advantage heading into the second. The Falcons dominated in the second outscoring the Eagles by 15 to take a 32-15 lead headed into the half. The Falcons cruised in the third outscoring the Eagles by 18 to take a 48-23 lead into the final quarter. The Eagles outscored the Falcons by one in the final quarter, but the Falcons lead was too strong, and they earned a 71-37 win. Reese Harden led the Falcons with 14 points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks.  Liv Monturo totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Chloe Milanesi added 12 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals against the Lions of Albright College on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Time is still to be determined.

First Quarter
Both teams opened the game with strong defense with only four points scored from each team in the first five minutes of the game. Reese Harden and Liv Monturo each scored two points for the Falcons during the stretch. The Eagles then outscored the Falcons 5-3 to take a 9-6 lead with 2:44 remaining in the first. The Falcons ended the first with a 5-0 to give the Falcons a 11-9 lead. EmmyFaith Wood and Ainsley Bell each made a basket, and Raegan Fogarty added a free three throw for the Falcons during the run.
 
Second Quarter
After the Eagles opened the quarter with a basket the Falcons went on an 11-0 run to extend their lead to 11 with 4:22 remaining in the half. Liv Monturo started the run with five straight points and Raegan Fogarty ended the run with a jumper. After the Eagles scored another basket, the Falcons ended the quarter with a 10-2 run to give the Falcons a 32-15 lead headed into the break. Charlotte Milanesi started the run with a three and Chloe Milanesi ended the run with a basket just before time expired.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the quarter with a quick 9-2 run to extend their lead to 24 with 6:25 remaining in the third. Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with four points during the run. After almost two minutes of scoreless basketball, the Falcons went on an 11-2 run to push their 33 with 2:30 remaining in the third. The Falcons were led by Chloe Milanesi who hit two threes and Ainsley Bell who added a three. The Falcons outscored the Eagles 6-4 to end the quarter with a commanding 58-23 lead. Reese Harden scored all six points on two threes for the Falcons.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Eagles opened the fourth outscoring the Falcons 8-6 in the first four minutes. Liv Monturo scored four points and Chloe Milanesi scored two for the Falcons during the stretch. The Falcons outscored the Eagles 7-6 to close out the game with a 71-37 win. A Justine Forbes three and a Unity Miller basket highlighted the final stretch for the Falcons in the win.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 14 points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks.  Liv Monturo totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Chloe Milanesi added 12 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Charlotte Milanesi totaled nine points, six assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block. Ainsley Bell also added eight points, four assists, and three rebounds. The Falcons shot 48.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The Eagles shot 30.4 percent from the field and made zero threes on 10 attempts.
 
Next
The Falcons host the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals against the Lions of Albright College on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Time is still to be determined.