READING, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah University women's basketball team used a strong second half to defeat the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University, 53-44. The Golden Wolves started the game strong with a 12-10 lead at the end of the first. The Falcons outscored the Golden Wolves by two in the second to tie the game at 24 at the break. The Falcons outscored the Golden Wolves by two in the third to take a 33-31 lead headed into the final quarter. The Falcons started the quarter with a 9-2 run and never looked back as they earned the 53-44 win over the Golden Wolves to cap off the regular season. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Charlotte Milanesi added nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Spartans of York College in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Golden Wolves opened the game strong with a 6-0 run in the first three minutes to take an early lead. The Falcons then responded with an 8-2 run to tie the game at eight with 1:34 remaining in the first. Brooke Fenchel started the run with a free throw and Liv Monturo capped off the run with a layup. The Golden Wolves then outscored the Falcons by two to close out the first with a 12-10 lead.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons started the second quarter strong with a 9-2 run to take a 19-14 lead with six minutes remaining in the second. Marisa Amitie started the run with a basket and Liv Monturo ended the run with a layup. After two minutes of scoreless play, The Golden Wolves outscored the Falcons 10-5 to tie the game at 24 headed into the break.
 
Third Quarter
In the first five minutes of the third, both defenses were strong with the Falcons outscoring he Golden Wolves, 4-3. Charlotte Milanesi and Liv Monturo each scored a basket for the Falcons during the stretch. The defensive battle continued with the Falcons outscoring the Golden Wolves, 5-4 in the final five minutes to take a 33-31 lead into the fourth quarter. Ainsley Bell highlighted the stretch for the Falcons with a three in the final 40 seconds of the third.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons opened the fourth with a 9-2 run to take a 42-33 lead with 2:48 remaining in the game. EmmyFaith Wood started the run with a jumper and Brooke Fenchel capped off the run with a pair of free throws. After a three by the Golden Wolves, the Falcons quickly responded with a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 11 with 53 seconds remaining in the game. Wood led the Falcons with four points during the run for the Falcons. The Golden Wolves outscored the Falcons 8-6 in the final stretch of the game, but the Falcons lead was too strong, and Messiah earned the 53-44 win. Wood made four free throws, and Wood made two free throws down the stretch for the Falcons to hold off the Golden Wolves late comeback attempt.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. EmmyFaith Wood totaled 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Charlotte Milanesi added nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ainsley Bell totaled seven points and two steals. Brooke Fenchel also added five points, three assists, three blocks, and three steals. The Falcons shot 28.8 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from behind the arc. The Golden Wolves shot 36.4 percent from the field and 25 percent from three.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Spartans of York College in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m.