OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball fought close to Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opponent Messiah University in the second half, ending the double header night with a 67-47 loss following the Mustang men's team' victory over the Falcons.
 
First year forward Tessa Boswell scored a career-high 15 points on the evening, notching five successful three pointers out of six. Boswell also topped the team with four rebounds, bringing her career total to 51. Sophomore guard Laci Johnson had 12 points for Stevenson, including and two three-pointers.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Falcons scored early and often, as the first lead change occurred about halfway in with a layup from senior forward Maleah Smith, bringing the score to 5-4 in the Mustangs' favor. However, the Falcons gained traction as they racked up a seven-point lead as the clock ticked on. Boswell tightened the gap with her first three-pointer of the evening at 2:45 left. Scoreless for the rest of the opening quarter, the Mustangs trailed the Falcons by 10 points.
 
SECOND QUARTER
The Falcons continued their late quarter momentum into the second half, before Johnson secured her two three-pointers within a minute of each other, bringing the game to 28-19. The Falcons remained consistent as the Mustangs scored one last time with just over a minute left, ending the first half down by 20 points, 41-21.
 
THIRD QUARTER
While the Falcons managed to score early in the third, sophomore guard Emori Jeselskis answered with a jumper just under two minutes in. First year forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques was next to notch points about two minutes later, securing a layup. Like the events of the opening half, Tessa Boswell had an answer to the Falcons' consistency with three more three-pointers, closing the gap to 51-34 following her third. After a sequence of free throws from senior guard Morgan Pennick, the Mustangs trailed by 17 points, 53-36.      
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Boswell secured her final three- pointer of the evening in the final quarter. Jeselskis, Morgan DeBeary, and Aysia Ferguson combined for 11 points for the Mustangs, but SU could not keep pace with the No. 24-ranked Falcons. The Mustangs suffered their third conference loss of the season with a 20-point 67-47 decision.



 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs fall to 6-11 overall and 5-3 in conference while the Falcons improve to 15-2 overall and remain undefeated in conference 8-0. The Mustangs seek their next conference win on the road when they travel to Alvernia University on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a 1 p.m. tipoff. The Falcons host Widener University this Saturday, Jan. 21 for a 4 p.m. tipoff.