GRANTHAM, Pa. (Jan. 7, 2017) – The Widener University women's basketball team fell to #24 Messiah by an 88-51 score on Saturday afternoon at Brubaker Auditorium.
Facing a nationally-ranked opponent on the road for the third time this season, Widener was competitive in the first quarter and only trailed by five through 10 minutes of play. A 3-pointer by Maci Thornton, however, broke a 4-4 tie and her steal on the ensuing inbounds play resulted in a Gillian Glackin layup to give the hosts momentum. The Falcons held off the Pride's comeback attempts through the remainder of the frame, which included a quick six-point barrage from freshman
Devan Rimmer (Perkasie, Pa.), and led by a 19-14 score at the first break.
Junior
Julia Venturelli (Bridgewater, N.J.) brought the visitors back within two by canning a trifecta at the 9:29 mark of the second quarter, but Messiah responded with 10 unanswered by getting five field goals from five different players over a span of 2:27. Glackin then hit a trey from the top of the key, and the hosts carried a 37-23 lead into the recess.
Messiah picked up right where it left off by embarking on a 7-2 run to begin the third quarter. Glackin remained tough to defend down low and had all 12 of her points through the end of the frame to help give the Falcons a 29-point cushion to work with through 30 minutes of play. Alecia Rohr extended the lead to 30 at 66-36 by sinking the free throw, and the Pride would come no closer the rest of the way.
Thornton led unbeaten Messiah (14-0, MAC Commonwealth 5-0) by posting three game highs with 16 points, six assists and five steals. Glackin registered a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, and Rohr contributed 13 points to go along with eight boards.
Rimmer netted 14 points by shooting 5-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-5 at the line to pace Widener. Junior
Allison Gallagher (Souderton, Pa.) also reached twin figures with 10 points, while freshman
Madison Ireland (Garnet Valley, Pa.) grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.
Widener (4-10, MAC Commonwealth 1-4) will look to get back on track when it hosts Alvernia on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.
