GRANTHAM, Pa. - Stevenson women's basketball junior Sara Tarbert scored 13 fourth quarter points, including her 1,000th career-point, as the Mustangs posted a 63-49 MAC Commonwealth victory at Messiah Wednesday evening at Brubaker Auditorium.  

The win was the Mustangs (3-2, 1-0 MAC Commonwealth) third straight over the Falcons (3-3, 0-1 MAC Commonwealth) and 15th conference victory in their last 16 contests.

A basket by senior Caitlin Roy and a pair of layups from Tarbert gave Stevenson an early 6-0 lead to start the game. Led by two steals from sophomore Kaitlyn VanTash and three turnovers by Messiah, the hosts were held without a basket for the first 4:35 of play.

After the Falcons cut their deficit to just three, Roy hit a three-pointer to start an 8-2 run with 2:28 remaining in the opening quarter. Messiah was 3-for-16 from the floor in the opening 10 minutes while the Mustangs were 7-for-14.

Roy extended the visitors lead to 11 with a layup in the first 12 seconds of the second quarter before Messiah used a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to 18-13. The Falcons would cut their deficit to three with 1:48 in the half after capitilizing on a Mustang turnover.

Stevenson would take a 27-19 lead into the break after senior Stephanie Martinez knocked down a three in the closing minute after junior Kameron Ward drew a charge on the defensive end. Martinez is eight three-pointers shy of tying the school record for three-pointers in a career.

Messiah outscored the Mustangs 18-13 in the third quarter and would get within one, but a pair of free throws from junior Haley Bauer on the ensuing possession and a made free throw by senior Brittney Page gave Stevenson a two possession lead going into the final quarter.

Tarbert and Van Tash combined for 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Mustangs outscored the Falcons, 23-12 in the final 10 minutes. With 3:39 left in the game, Tarbert collected an offensive rebound and finished the put-back, edging her over 1000 career points. Tarbert finished with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds.

Roy and VanTash join Tarbert in double figures, totaling 14 and 12 points, respectively.

The Mustangs totaled 18 assists on 25 baskets in the game and shot a season-best 50 percent from the floor while holding Messiah to just 32.3 percent.

Stevenson returns to action on Saturday, December 5 when the Mustangs travel to Lycoming for a MAC Commonwealth contest beginning at 1:00 p.m.