OWINGS MILLS, Md. - With the Mustangs trailing by one with five seconds reamining, Stevenson women's basketball sophomore Stephanie Martinez hit a three pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining to lift the Mustangs over visiting Messiah, 72-70 Wednesday at Owings Mills Gymnasium.

With the win, the Mustangs (8-6, 6-1 MAC) surpassed their win total from a season ago and remained tied for first place with Lebanon Valley.

The two teams traded baskets in the first six minutes of the game, with neither team holding more than a one point lead.

The Falcons (8-6, 4-3 MAC) would use a 9-0 run late in the first half to push their lead to eight with 4:02 remaining. They would take a 40-34 halftime lead after Emily Martz put back a missed three pointer and got the fould with one second on the clock.

Martinez hit her first shot of the game, a three pointer to tie the game at 53 midway through the second half.

Stevenson would take their largest lead of the game at five after another Martinez three pointer with 2:53 remaining.

However, Messiah would score six straight points to take a one point lead after Taylor Miller hit one of two free throws.

Having to go the length of the court, junior Ty Bender took two dribbles before passing it ahead to Martinez who let it go just passed midcourt for the game winner with a hand in her face.

The game featured 18 ties and seven lead changes.

The Mustangs outrebounded the Falcons 34-28 while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor.

Bender finished with 16 points while Martinez added 10.

Junior Kayla Kelly scored a game-high 17 points while sophomore Caitlin Roy had a career-high 15.

Messiah was led by Chelsea Danel and Taylor Miller who combined for 27 points.

Stevenson returns to action on Sunday, January 19 when they travel to face Lycoming in a Commonwealth Conferecne contest beginning at 1:00 p.m. Last season the Warriors swept the Mustangs, including an overtime vicorty at Owings Mills Gymnasium.