GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team earned a hard fought, 50-49 win against the Spartans of York College. The Falcons opened the game outscoring the Spartans by three in the first to take an early 13-10 lead. The Spartans then outscored the Falcons by three in the second to tie the game at 24 at the break. The Spartans outscored the Falcons by two in the third to take a 38-36 lead headed into the final quarter. The fourth quarter continued the back-and-forth battle, but Liv Monturo hit the game-winner with 26 seconds remaining to give the Falcons the 50-49 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 21 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Charlotte Milanesi totaled seven points and seven assists. Hope Cook also added seven points.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Eagles of Eastern University on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The Falcons took an early 4-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game with Charlotte Milanesi and Liv Monturo each scoring a basket for Messiah. The Spartans then went on an 8-0 run to take a 10-4 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first. The Falcons closed out the first with a 9-0 run to take a 13-10 lead at the end of the first. Monturo started the run with a pair of free throws and Brooke Fenchel ended the run with a three.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the second outscoring the Spartans 4-3 in the first two minutes to extend their lead to 17-13. Ainsley Bell scored all four points during the stretch for the Falcons. The Spartans then responded with a 7-0 run to take a 20-17 lead midway through the second. The Falcons then responded with a 7-0 run of their own to take a 24-20 lead with 2:48 remaining in the half. Liv Monturo scored four points and Hope Cook made a three for the Falcons during the run. The Spartans closed the half with four-straight points to tie the game at 24 at the break.
 
Third Quarter
The Spartans started the third outscoring the Falcons 6-3 in the first four minutes of the third to take a 30-27 lead. The Falcons then responded with a quick 5-2 run to tie the game at 32 just under four minutes remaining in the half. Liv Monturo scored a basket and Hope Cook made a three for the Falcons. The Spartans outscored the Falcons 6-4 to close out the third with a 38-36 lead. Charlotte Milanesi drained a three for the Falcons during the final stretch of the third.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth strong with a 9-4 run in the first five minutes to take a 45-42 lead. Charlotte Milanesi started the run with a basket and EmmyFaith Wood ended the run with a three. The Spartans then took a one-point lead with a 7-3 run with just above two minutes remaining in the game. Liv Monturo hit the game-winner for the Falcons with 26 seconds remaining in the game. The Falcons played tight defense and Monturo earned a steal to seal the game and give the Falcons the 50-49 win.  
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 21 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Charlotte Milanesi totaled seven points and seven assists. Hope Cook also added seven points. Ainsley Bell and EmmyFaith Wood each scored six points. The Falcons shot 40.8 percent from the field and 46.2 from behind the arc. The Spartans shot 45.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Eagles of Eastern University on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m.