Reading, Pa. (Feb. 26, 2021) - Messiah University (6-0, 6-0) completed the home-and-home sweep of Alvernia University (0-2, 0-2) with a 65-47 win over the Golden Wolves in women's basketball action on Friday night at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter pulling ahead 10-8 in the final seconds of the quarter on two converted free throws by Amber High.

The teams traded baskets in the early minutes of the second quarter, but then Alvernia's offense went cold as Messiah went on a 13-0 run over a five minute span to jump out to 25-10 lead with 4:34 remaining in the half. Alvernia's Taliyah Malone knocked down a jumper to put an end to Alvernia's scoring drought, but Messiah followed with a 3-pointer from Eleana Eckley on its next possession. Messiah went scoreless the rest of the half as Alvernia converted a jumper and a free throw to go into the break down 28-15.

Alvernia came out of the half fast, with Malone hitting a three on Alvernia's opening possession to bring the Golden Wolves within 10, 28-10. Three minutes later Malone hit another 3-pointer to bring the Golden Wolves within 7, 30-23, with 6:54 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons and Golden Wolves traded baskets over the next three minutes before the Falcons began to pull away. Messiah pushed its lead to 19 off of a layup by Jayneisha Davis with 1:17 left in the third.

Messiah would go on to lead by as much as 22, 54-32, with 5:56 left in the game, but Alvernia's Madison Miskar knocked down threes on back-to-back possessions to bring Alvernia within 16. 

Alvernia cut Messiah's lead down to 12, 54-42, following a layup by Malone with 3:14 left in the game, but the Golden Wolves would not get any closer. Following a series of free throws, Messiah sealed the 65-47 win.

Alvernia was led by Malone offensively, with the freshman finishing the night with 13 points and three assists.  Julie Ewen fueled Alvernia's rebounding efforts with a team-high 13 boards. Freshman Kayla Williams finished in double digits with 11 points, and Miskar finished with 10. 

Messiah was led by Eleana Eckley with 14 points, and both Springer and Jayneisha Davis finished with double-doubles for the Falcons.
Alvernia returns to action next week, hosting Lebanon Valley on Thursday night.