Box Score

Messiah opened both halves on big runs, as the Falcons defeated Albright 81-53 on Saturday in Grantham, Pa.

Sophomore Kelecia Harris made 8-of-14 field goals for a game-high 20 points, and also pulled down seven rebounds. Classmate Emily O'Donnell was also in double-figures with 10 points.

Messiah's Chelsea Danel opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Taylor Miller was good from behind the arc to make it 13-2. Two Messiah free throws pushed the opening run to 15-2 after 5:38 played.

The Lions battled back however, holding Messiah without a field goal for the next 6:34 of action. Harris cut it to single-digits with a three-point play to make it 17-9. She nearly converted another and-one, missing the free throw but still pulling Albright closer at 17-11.

Meghan Boyle scored with 3:22 left and Jessica Venturelli added two free throws that cut the gap all the way to 28-23. Messiah closed on a 10-2 streak to lead 38-25 at halftime.

Messiah stretched their run to 19-4 by scoring nine of the first 11 points in the second half. Venturelli finally answered with a three-pointer to make it 47-30, but Katelyn Vanderhoff soon stretched the gap to 21 points.

After an Amanda Tiritilli jumper with 10:24 remaining, the Lions did not score again until a Harris basket with 3:50 remaining.

Four Falcons were in double-figures, including Vanderhoff (13 points, seven assists, five steals). Gillian Glackin totaled 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Albright falls to 11-8, 5-7 and sits one game behind Lycoming for the final Commonwealth playoff spot. Messiah (9-3) is in a four-way logjam at the top of the standings with Elizabethtown, Lebanon Valley and Stevenson.