GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University women's basketball team used a strong finish to defeat the Mustangs of Stevenson University 59-44. The Falcons outscored the Mustangs by four to take an early lead. Both teams scored 10 points in the second quarter to give Messiah a 28-24 lead at the half. The Mustangs pulled within one in the third, but the Falcons ended the quarter with a 6-2 run to take a 43-38 lead into the fourth quarter. The Falcons cruised in the fourth, outscoring the Mustangs by 10 to earn the 59-44 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 19 points and 16 rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood added 12 points and four rebounds. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Brooke Fenchel also scored 11 points and added two blocks.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Chester, Pa. to take on the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
 
First Quarter
The Falcons opened the first six minutes with a 12-4 run to take an early lead. April Kauffeldt started the run with a layup and Charlotte Milanesi ended the run with a layup. The Mustangs outscored the Falcons 10-6 in the final four minutes of the first to reduce the Falcons lead to 18-14 at the end of the first. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with four points during the stretch.
 
Second Quarter
Both teams opened the second scoring four points each in the first four minutes. Charlotte Milanesi made a free throw and EmmyFaith Wood drained a three for the Falcons during the stretch. The Mustangs then went on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 24 with 4:26 remaining in the half. The Falcons ended the half with two straight baskets to give the Falcons a 28-24 lead at the break. Brooke Fenchel and Milanesi each tallied a basket for the Falcons.
 
Third Quarter
Both teams opened the third with four points each. Charlotte Milanesi scored on a jumper and EmmyFaith Wood made two free throws for the Falcons. After three straight points from the Mustangs, each team scored five points to put the score at 37-36 with four minutes remaining in the third. Hope Cook hit a three and Liv Monturo made a layup for the Falcons during the stretch. The Falcons finished the third strong with a 6-2 run to take a 43-38 lead into the fourth quarter. Brooke Fenchel led the Falcons with five points and April Kauffeldt added a free throw.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth quarter with an 8-3 run to extend their lead to 51-41 with just under six minutes remaining in the game. EmmyFaith Wood opened the run with a jumper and Liv Monturo ended the run with a layup. The Falcons went on another 8-3 run to close out the game to earn the 59-44 win. Monturo led the Falcons with six points and Brooke Fenchel added two points during the final run.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 19 points and 16 rebounds. EmmyFaith Wood added 12 points and four rebounds. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Brooke Fenchel also scored 11 points and added two blocks. April Kauffeldt added three points and 12 rebounds. The Falcons shot 36.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc. The Mustangs shot 25.9 percent from the floor and 11.1 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to Chester, Pa. to take on the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1:00 p.m.