GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team defeated the Spartans of York College, 53-46 in a defensive battle. The Spartans opened the game with an 8-7 lead after the first quarter. The Falcons took control in the second and outscored the Spartans by seven to take a 26-20 lead at the half. The Spartans outscored the Falcons by two in the third to put the score at 37-33 headed into the final quarter. The Falcons outscored the Spartans by three in the fourth to earn the 53-46 win. Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with 16 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Liv Monturo added 13 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. With the win, Mike Miller earned his 799th career win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Lions of Albright College on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7:00 p.m.

First Quarter
In a very tightly defensive first quarter, both teams scored four points in the first seven minutes of the first. Charlotte Milanesi and EmmyFaith Wood each totaled two points for the Falcons during the stretch. The Spartans outscored the Falcons by one in the final three minutes to take an 8-7 lead at the end of the first. Milanesi drained a three for the Falcons lone basket during the final three minutes.
 
Second Quarter
The Spartans started the second strong, outscoring the Falcons 7-5 to take a 15-12 lead with 7:48 remaining in the quarter. Hope Cook made a three and Liv Monturo made a basket for the Falcons during the stretch. The Falcons then outscored the Spartans by two in the next four minutes to reduce the Spartans lead to one. Charlotte Milanesi drained a three and Brooke Fenchel and EmmyFaith Wood each added a basket for the Falcons during the stretch. The Falcons closed the half with a 7-0 run to take a 26-20 lead at the break. Monturo led the Falcons during run with four points.
 
Third Quarter
After the Spartans opened the third with four straight points, the Falcons responded with four straight points of their own to keep a six-point lead midway through the third. EmmyFaith Wood made a jumper, and Liv Monturo made two free throws for the Falcons during the stretch. The Spartans ended the third outscoring the Falcons by two to reduce the Falcons lead to four heading into the final quarter. The final scoring of the third for the Falcons was highlighted by a three from Brooke Fenchel.  
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth with a 7-2 run to take a 44-35 lead with 7:30 remaining in the game. The run was started by a three from EmmyFaith Wood and capped off by a layup from Charlotte Milanesi. The Spartans then responded with a 9-4 run to reduce the Falcons lead to four with 2:25 remaining in the game. The Falcons closed out the game strong, outscoring the Spartans by three to earn the 53-46 win. Liv Monturo totaled three points, and Wood added a pair of free throws to cap off the scoring for the Falcons in the game.
 
Stats
Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with 16 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Liv Monturo added 13 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. Brooke Fenchel also added five points, three rebounds, and two steals. The Falcons shot 30.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three. The Spartans shot 35.6 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from three. With the win, Mike Miller earned his 799th career win.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Spartans of York College on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7:00 p.m.