READING, Pa. – The Messiah University women's basketball team cruised to a 70-50 win over the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University on Wednesday evening. The Falcons opened the game outscoring the Golden Wolves by seven to take a 17-10 lead at the end of the first. The Falcons dominated in the second quarter outscoring the Golden Wolves by 14 to take a 35-14 lead into the half. The third quarter was tightly played with the Falcons outscoring the Golden Wolves by three to take a 24-point lead into the final quarter. Alvernia outscored the Falcons by four in the final quarter, but the Falcons built up their lead early and earned a 70-50 win. Reese Harden led the Falcons with 13 points, four assists, and three steals. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 11 points, five assists, three steals, and a block. Chloe Milanesi and Liv Monturo each added 10 points.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Reading, Pa. to take on the Lions of Albright College on Saturday, Feb. at 1:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game strong with a 9-0 in the first three minutes. Chloe Milanesi led the Falcons during the run with back-to-back three pointers to start the game. After a couple of baskets from the Golden Wolves, the Falcons answered back with a 6-0 run to push the Falcons lead to 15-4 with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Reese Harden started the run with a jumper and Ainsley Bell ended the run with a jumper. The Golden Wolves ended the quarter with a 6-2 run reducing the Falcons lead to 17-10 at the end of the first quarter. Raegan Fogarty scored the lone basket for the Falcons during the quick Alvernia run.
 
Second Quarter
After the two teams traded baskets to open the second quarter the Falcons went on a 10-0 to extend their lead to 29-12 with four minutes remaining in the half. Liv Monturo started the run with a layup and Justine Forbes hit a three with just over four minutes remaining to give the Falcons the 17-point lead. The Falcons closed the half with a 6-2 run to give Messiah a 35-14 lead at the break. EmmyFaith Wood, Charlotte Milanesi, and Hope Cook each scored two points for the Falcons during the stretch.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the third quarter strong with a 6-1 run to extend their lead to 26 with 7:40 remaining in the third. Liv Monturo led the Falcons during the run with four points. The Two teams went back-and-forth for the next three minutes, but the Falcons kept a strong 47-22 lead. The Falcons then rattled off a 9-2 run to push their lead to 32. EmmyFaith Wood hit two threes and Hope Cook added a three for the Falcons during the run. The Golden Wolved ended the third with an 8-0 run to reduce the Falcons lead to 56-32.
 
Fourth Quarter
The two teams opened the fourth trading baskets with Reese Harden making a pair of free throws and Sydney Hoffman making a jumper for the Falcons to keep their lead at 24 with 7:45 remaining in the game. The Golden Wolves then went on a 9-0 run to reduce the Falcons lead to 60-45. The Falcons responded to the run with a 7-2 run to give Messiah a 67-47 lead with 2:11 remaining in the game. Charlotte Milanesi started the run with a three and liv Monturo ended the run with a layup. Both teams scored three points in the final two minutes to give the Falcons a 70-50 win. EmmyFaith Wood made the final basket of the evening with her third three.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 13 points, four assists, and three steals. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 11 points, five assists, three steals, and a block. Chloe Milanesi totaled 10 points, eight rebounds, six steals, three blocks, and an assist. Liv Monturo also totaled 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. Charlotte Milanesi added eight points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. The Falcons shot 44.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The Golden Wolves shot 36 percent from the field and 15.8 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to Reading, Pa. to take on the Lions of Albright College on Saturday, Feb. at 1:00 p.m.