Grantham Pa, (February 21, 2024) - Messiah University (22-4) used a big second half to outlast Alvernia University (15-11) 69-45, in a MAC Commonwealth women's basketball semifinal Wednesday night at Messiah. 

The Golden Wolves kept it tight in the first half with Messiah holding a two point, 29-27 lead at the break. The Falcons came out of the break and held the Golden Wolves to nine points in both the third and fourth quarters en route to the 69-45 victory. 

How it Happened 

• Alvernia jumped out to a 7-6 lead in the first five minutes of the first quarter thanks to five points from Kayla Williams and two more from Tamia Wessels. 
• Messiah responded by scoring six of the final seven points of the quarter to grab the four point, 12-8 lead after the first ten minutes. 
• The Golden Wolves grabbed a six point, 20-14 lead after ripping off a 12-2 run in the first four minutes of the half. Williams tallied five more, Megan Ruth added three and Jordan Karmonick and Wessels both tallied two. 
• Messiah responded with a 15-7 scoring run to close out the first half and take the 29-27 lead. 
• The Falcons came out of the half and went on a 14-4 scoring run to extend their lead to 14, 45-31 with three minutes to go in the third quarter. 
• Alvernia scored five of the final eight points of the quarter but the Falcons maintained a 12 point, 48-36 lead after three quarters. 
• Messiah outscored the Golden Wolves 21-9 in the fourth quarter to secure the 69-45 victory to advance to the MAC Championship game. 

Inside the Box Score

• Kayla Williams led the Golden Wolves with 19 points and added a team high seven rebounds. 
• Tamia Wessels tallied nine for Alvernia and Taliyah Malone finished with seven and added five rebounds. 

Up Next

• The Golden Wolves finish the 2023-2024 season with a 15-11 record and a 7-7 record in the MAC Commonwealth.