Reading, Pa. (Jan. 10, 2024) - Alvernia University could not overcome a fast start by Messiah University as the Golden Wolves fell to the Falcons, 79-57, on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action.

The Falcons, who received votes in the latest WBCA poll, led by as much as 28 in the first half. Alvernia played even with the Falcons in the second half, matching nearly point for point, but the Golden Wolves could not overcome the first half deficit as Messiah came away with the 79-57 win.

With the loss, Alvernia drops to 9-5 overall and 1-2 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Falcons improve to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in MAC Commonwealth play.

How it Happened:

• After Alvernia scored the opening points of the game on a Tamia Wessels layup, the Falcons held Alvernia to just four more points over the next 15 minutes of game play. Messiah scored 36 of its own during that time frame as the Falcons took a 36-8 lead with 3:34 to play in the first half.
• A quick seven points off of a layup from Jordan Karmonick, a Taliyah Malone 3-pointer, and a Kayla Williams layup helped get Alvernia back on track, but the Golden Wolves still trailed 36-15 with two minutes to play in the second half. The Golden Wolves and Falcons traded baskets in the final minute of the half as Messiah took a 38-17 lead into the break.
• The Falcons shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range in the first half and shot 47% from the field. Alvernia had 12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes and Messiah took advantage with 16 points off of Alvernia's 12 turnovers. 
• Alvernia scored the opening three points of the second half on a driving layup from Williams and a made free throw by Williams on the three point play. But, Messiah responded with back-to-back layups to make it a 22 point game, 42-20, through the early minutes of the second half.
• The Golden Wolves, who made nearly twice as many field goals in the second half compared to the first, could not gain ground on the Falcons. Messiah matched nearly every Alvernia basket in the second half. The Golden Wolves got within 20 just once - with 6:29 to play in the third quarter on a Williams layup - but never got any closer the rest of the way as Messiah came away with the win.

Inside the Box:

• Williams led Alvernia with 21 points off of 9-for-16 shooting. She finished with seven rebounds and a team-high four blocks and three assists.
• Tamia Wessels finished with 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
• Rece Harden led the Falcons with 19 points, and Morgan Adams had an 18 point, 10 rebound double-double.
• Alvernia committed just three turnovers in the second half to Messiah's eight.
• The Golden Wolves also finished with 12 fouls to Messiah 15. 

Of Note:

• Williams' four blocks marked the fourth time this season she had four blocks in a game.
• Messiah shot 68.8% from 3-point range - going 11-for-16 from beyond the arc. The Falcons had not made more than six 3-pointers in a game prior to tonight, and had not shot better than 43% from 3-point range. Messiah had three different players shoot 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.
• Messiah, the defending MAC Champions, have now won 19 straight MAC Commonwealth regular season games dating back to the season finale in 2021-22.

Up Next:

• Alvernia hosts Widener University on Saturday in the first game of a Saturday basketball doubleheader. The Pride are coming off an upset lost to Eastern University earlier this evening. Widener was 12-1 and 3-0 in conference while riding a five game winning streak prior to tonight's 64-57 loss to Eastern. The Eagles were 5-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
• Alvernia split the series with the Pride last season. Alvernia won its home game, 78-67, in the first matchup of the year before dropping a 65-56 decision at Widener in the second meeting of the series.