Grantham, Pa. (Feb. 23, 2022) - With #8 Alvernia University (12-14) leading by three early in the third quarter, #1 Messiah University (21-3) went on a 23-5 run that ran into the fourth quarter as Messiah shifted momentum and went on to take the 74-60 win over the Golden Wolves in MAC Commonwealth Championship quarterfinal action on Wednesday night at Messiah.

With the game tied at 28-28 at the half, Alvernia took a 33-32 lead over the Falcons two and a half minutes into the third on a Kayla Williams jumper. Alvernia extended its lead to three on a Jordan Karmonick jumper, but Messiah battled right back. The Falcons retook the lead on three free throws that sparked their 23-5 run. Alvernia could not get closer than six in the final minutes as Messiah came away with the 74-60 win.

The Falcons opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and layup in the first two minutes to take a 5-0 lead, but Alvernia got on the board with a Taliyah Malone jumper at the 7:52 mark. 

Two minutes later, with the Falcons leading by four, Karmonick brought Alvernia within one, 8-7, with 5:12 to go in the first.

On Messiah's next possession, Sidney Stutzmn knocked down a three to put Messiah back up by four, 11-7, with 4:48 to go in the first. 

Messiah hovered at a two possession lead for the remainder of the first and took a 15-10 advantage into the second quarter.

The Falcons opened the second quarter with an Eleana Eckley layup to go up 17-10, but Karmonick answered with a field goal of her own.  A layup from Malone 45 seconds later brought Alvernia within three, 17-14, with 8:15 to go in the half.

After a made Messiah free throw, a Tamia Wessels jumper made it a two point game, 18-16, with 6:45 to go.

Alvernia got within two twice more in the second quarter, but a layup from Kelly Fetter as time expired in the second quarter finally brought the game to a tie, 28-28.

Messiah scored the opening four points of the second half to jump back out to a four point lead, 32-28. 

A layup under contact by Williams brought Alvernia within two, 32-30, with 8:03 to go and her made ensuing free throw brought Alvernia within one, 32-31.

Another jumper from Williams gave Alvernia the one point advantage, 33-32, and Karmonick made it a three point game on Alvernia's next possession, 35-32, with 6:48 to play in the third. 

A jumper from Messiah's Sidney Stutzman brought Messiah back within one, and a free throw from Reese Harden tied the game up at 35-35. 

Messiah outscored the Golden Wolves 12-4 the rest of the quarter to take a 47-39 advantage into the final frame.

A free throw from Kayla Williams to open the fourth quarter brought Alvernia within seven, 47-40, but Messiah responded with four quick field goals to jump out to a 15 point lead with 8:14 to play. 

A Williams' three and Tyra Robinson jumper stopped the quick 8-0 burst from the Falcons, but Messiah still held a 10 point advantage, 55-45, over the Golden Wolves with seven minutes to play.

Following a layup from Messiah with 7:02 to play, Karmonick knocked down a three with 6:49 to play to bring Alvernia back within single digits, 57-48. Alvernia got within six about two minutes laters, 59-53, following a Williams' three and Tyra Robinson jumper. But, Alvernia could not get any closer as Messiah pulled away for the 74-60 win. 

Williams led Alvernia with 16 points and six boards. Karmonick and Tyra Robinson each finished with ten points. Malone led Alvernia with eight boards and also added seven points.

The loss to the Falcons puts an end to Alvernia's most successful season since 2011-12. Alvernia finished the season going 12-14 - adding three wins to its total from 2019-20, the last full season Alvernia played, and marking the most wins in a season for the Golden Wolves since 2011-12

Messiah advances to the semifinal and will host #5 Albright.