(boxscore)

2/27/08 -- Junior Megan Sipple (Boothwyn, PA) did all she could with 17 points, but Widener could not overcome a quick start by No. 5 Messiah for an 82-53 loss in the Commonwealth Conference semifinals at Grantham, PA.

Top-seeded Messiah (24-2) went on a 25-6 run in the first 8 1/2 minutes thanks to nine points on three 3-pointers from Lauren Schurr. Nikki Lobach netted five points in the run and Ashley Brooks added four.

The Falcons opened a 39-20 halftime lead by shooting 50 percent (16-of-32) from the floor and holding the fourth-seeded Pride (11-15) to just 28 percent (8-of-29). Schurr and Lobach ended the half with nine points apiece.

The final score was not indicative of Widener's play. The visitors battled in the second half and kept the game within 20 before Messiah went on another run late for the final margin.

Sipple shot 7-of-11 over 33 minutes, but it was not enough as the Pride hit only 33 percent (18-of-55) from the field and 5-of-22 from 3-point range.

Junior Barbara Fleming (Philadelphia, PA) scored nine points, Rayne Reber (Pottstown, PA) netted eight and fellow sophomore Becky Tyler (Wynnewood, PA) hauled in seven rebounds for Widener.

Lobach poured in 15 points with Schurr, Reed and Brooks netting 11 apiece for the Falcons. Brooks and Gwen Avery grabbed seven rebounds apiece for Messiah, which owned a 45-27 edge.

The Pride were competing in the conference tournament for the fifth time in six seasons. Widener punched its ticket Saturday with a 63-53 win over Elizabethtown for the last seed.