READING, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team cruised to a 68-43 win over the Lions of Albright College. The Falcons opened the game strong with a 14-8 lead after the first quarter. The Falcons continued the momentum into the second quarter, outscoring the Lions by 11 to take a 33-14 lead at the half. The Lions outscored the Falcons by four in the third, but the Falcons led by 15 headed into the final quarter. The Falcons finished the game strong, outscoring the Lions by 10 to earn a 68-43 win. Reese Harden led the Falcons with 18 points and four assists. Liv Monturo totaled 17 points and nine rebounds. Ainsley Bell added a career-high 12 points and added five rebounds.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Lions opened the game with a 4-0 run to take an early lead. The Falcons answered back with an 8-2 run that gave the Falcons an 8-6 lead with 4:24 remaining in the first. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with six points during the run and Charlotte Milanesi also added a basket. After the Lions tied the game with a basket, the Falcons ended the first quarter with a 6-0 to give the Falcons a 14-8 lead at the end of the first. Reese Harden scored four points during the run and Ainsley Bell also added two points. 
 
Second Quarter
After Albright opened the second with a basket the Falcons went on a 12-2 run that pushed the Falcons lead to 26-12 with 3:55 remaining in the half. Raegan Fogarty started the run with four straight points and Chloe Milanesi ended the run with a layup. After another Albright basket, the Falcons once again went on a run. This time the Falcons responded with a 7-0 to give the Falcons a 33-14 lead at the half. Ainsley Bell started the run with three free throws and Reese Harden ended the half with a free throw.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the third with a 4-2 stretch that pushed the Falcons lead to 37-16 with 8:23 remaining in the third. Reese Harden and Lin Monturo each scored on a layup for the Falcons during the stretch. The Lions would not go down without a fight, going on a 9-0 to reduce the Falcons lead to 12 with just over six minutes remaining in the third. The two teams went back-and-forth, but then Reese Harden and Chloe Milanesi each drained a three for a quick 6-0 run to push the Falcons lead back to 18. The Lions finished the third with three-straight points off free throws to reduce the Falcons lead to 47-32 entering the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
After the two teams traded baskets to open the quarter, the Falcons went on an 18-4 run to push their lead to 65-38 with four minutes remaining in the fourth. Liv Monturo led the Falcons during the run with six points and Ainsley Bell also added five points. The Lions outscored the Falcons 5-3 in the final four minutes, but the Falcons earned the 68-43 win. Brooke Fenchel scored two points and Hope Cook added a point during the final stretch for the Falcons.
 
Stats
Reese Harden led the Falcons with 18 points and four assists. Liv Monturo totaled 17 points and nine rebounds. Ainsley Bell added a career-high 12 points and added five rebounds. Chloe Milanesi and Charlotte Milanesi each added seven points and five rebounds. The Falcons shot 39.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. Albright shot 32 percent from the field and did not make a three on the afternoon.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m.