GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Wednesday evening, the Messiah University women's basketball team earned a 59-56 over Albright College to give head coach Mike Miller his 800th career win. The Falcons opened the game with a 15-7 lead after the first quarter to take an early lead. The Falcons kept control of the game in the second, outscoring the Lions by seven to take a 31-16 lead at the break. Both teams scored 18 in the third to put the Falcons up by 15 headed into the fourth. The Lions came back to take a 56-55 lead headed into the final minute of the fourth. Liv Monturo and Brooke Fenchel each hit a pair of clutch late free throws to give the Falcons the 59-56 win. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Hope Cook and EmmyFaith Wood each added nine points.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons opened the game with a 9-2 run in the first three minutes to take an early lead. Charlotte Milanesi led the Falcons with five points and Liv Monturo added four points during the run for the Falcons. The two teams ended the first trading a few baskets with both defenses limiting the offenses, but the Falcons took a 15-7 lead at the end of the first. The final seven-minute stretch was highlighted by a layup from Ainsley Bell.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons opened the second strong with a 14-4 run to give the Falcons a 29-11 lead midway through the second. Hope Cook and Charlotte Milanesi each led the Falcons with two threes each during the run. The Lions outscored the Falcons 5-2 to close out the half with the Falcons leading 31-16. April Kauffeldt made the lone basket for the Falcons to close out the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons opened the third with an 8-3 run to push the Falcons lead to 20 with 6:30 remaining in the third. Liv Monturo led the Falcons with six points during the run. The Lions then cut into the Falcons lead with a 7-2 run with just over four minutes remaining in the third. Both teams scored eight points to close out the third with the Falcons holding a 49-34 lead. The closing stretch was highlighted by a Brooke Fenchel three and a EmmyFaith Wood jumper.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Lions opened the fourth with an 11-0 run to reduce the Falcons lead to four with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. The Falcons answered back quickly with a three from Hope Cook and EmmyFaith Wood to push the Falcons lead back to 10 with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth. The Lions then went on another 11-0 run to take a 56-55 lead with 1:45 remaining in the game. With 27 seconds remaining, Liv Monturo was fouled and made a pair of free throws to give the Falcons a one-point lead. After a defensive stop, Brooke Fenchel sealed the Falcons 59-56 win with a pair of free throws.
 
Stats
Liv Monturo led the Falcons with 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Charlotte Milanesi totaled 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Hope Cook tallied nine points, three rebounds, and three assists. EmmyFaith Wood added nine points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists. The Falcons shot 35.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from behind the arc. The Lions shot 38.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
 
Mike Miller's 800th Win
With the win, Mike Miller earned his 800th career win as the Messiah University women's basketball coach. Coach Miller becomes just the third coach in Division III history with 800 career wins. Miller is just 15 wins behind Michael Strong for the second most wins in DIII women's basketball history. Miller also ranks 23rd all-time in women's basketball wins across all divisions.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2:00 p.m.