Box Score
READING, Pa. – Led by 6'2” sophomore Dori Gyori, the Falcons of Messiah College (8-5/2-1 Commonwealth) defeated women's basketball (4-7/0-3 CC) by the final score of 62-50 Saturday afternoon in the Bollman Center. Gyori led the Falcons with a game-high 19 points and eight rebounds.
For Albright senior
Jessica McGinness led the red and white with a team-high 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field, which included one 3-pointer and one made free throw. Classmate
MariLynn McMonagle finished second on the team with 13 points, while freshman
Meghan Boyle totaled 11. Boyle also pulled down a team-high seven boards as well.
As a team, the Lions shot 40% on the day, while Messiah used their 49% shooting from the field and solid defensive play to earn the 12 point victory. Combined the Falcons forced 21 Albright turnovers. Albright tallied 14 turnovers and nine steals in the contest.
Rose Williamson managed her 21st block of the season to remain amongst the top shot blockers in the conference.
Saturday's match-up got off to a great start for Albright. The Lions were clicking on both sides of the court and managed to lead the Falcons throughout a majority of the opening half. Unfortunately, their momentum did not last as the Falcons used a late 10-0 run to take control of the scoreboard.
Trailing 28-21, Albright tried to claw their way back before the half, but another run by Messiah to close out the half put the Lady Lions in an 11-point hole going into the locker room. After the break Messiah hit their stride as they jumped all over the red and white.
Albright was able to get the Falcons lead down to eight just three minutes in, but that would be the closest the Lions would come to retaking control of the lead. Unforced turnovers plagued the Lady Lions in the final 17 minutes, which in turn gave Messiah the opportunity to completely take control of the game.
With seven minutes remaining, the Falcons lead jumped to 17. It would then climb to 20 with just over three minutes left in the contest. In the final three minutes, McGinness recorded six of the Lions final 11 points.
Women's basketball returns to the Bollman Center on Wednesday when they host Widener University at 6 p.m. in a Commonwealth Conference match-up.
