(boxscore)

2/16/08 -- Seventh-ranked Messiah took control in the first half and never looked back, handing Widener a 78-29 Commonwealth Conference loss in Grantham, PA.

The Falcons (21-2, 8-0 CC) opened a 37-13 halftime lead by shooting 50 percent (15-of-30) from the floor and holding the Pride to just 15 percent (4-of-27). Nikki Lobach scored seven points in that span with Amy Reed adding six.

Silalei Shani had a dominant game in the post for Messiah, ending with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and seven rebounds. Lobach poured in 11 points with Gwen Avery and Ashley Brooks adding nine apiece.

Sophomore Becky Tyler (Wynnewood, PA) scored 12 points and hauled in seven rebounds for Widener (10-13, 2-6 CC), which shot 17 percent (9-of-53) overall. Sophomore Rayne Reber (Pottstown, PA) added eight rebounds.

Widener remains in fourth place in the conference, one game ahead of Lycoming and Elizabethtown (1-7) for the final league tournament berth.

Widener hits the road Tuesday to face Albright at 6:00 pm.