MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Stevenson women's basketball (6-18, 2-11) remained close early on, but were unable to keep pace against the Messiah University Falcons (19-4, 11-1) on Wednesday evening. The game ended in a 53-38 decision.
 
Sophomore guard Erin Dixon quickly brought the game to a tie early in the first quarter. Two minutes later, she added a jumper, keeping the gap tight. As the Falcons hit 10 points, the Mustangs persisted, with sophomore forward Destiny Towns securing a jumper and a layup as the three-minute mark passed. With just under two minutes left, first-year guard Amoni Taylor secured the first three pointer. The Falcons proceeded offensively with two baskets, ending the first quarter with a 16-11 lead.
 
With the gap widening, two minutes passed before Taylor secured a jumper for the Mustangs. The Falcons gained a nine-point lead before first-year forward Janie Smith sank a three pointer with 6:21 on the clock. Dixon found the other two opportunities for the Mustangs before the half. These, along with free throws from Taylor and sophomore forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques, brought the half to 29-22 in the Falcons' favor.
 
The Falcons kept up the pace in the third quarter. Despite missed efforts from Dixon, Taylor, and Towns, a free throw from Taylor in the final minute and a jumper from Jean-Jacques in the final three seconds brought the Mustangs to the end of the third behind 43-25.
 
Almost three minutes passed in the fourth quarter before Taylor sank a jumper. Just under a minute later, sophomore forward Kalea Wynter secured a layup, bringing the Mustangs close to 30. A free throw series from sophomore forward Tessa Boswell broke the 30-point mark. First-year guard Elia Richardson had the final three pointer of the evening with 3:42 on the clock. Two more opportunities in the final three minutes from Smith brought the game to the final 53-38 decision.
 
Taylor topped the team with nine points. Behind her was Dixon with eight points, four rebounds and three steals. Smith had seven points and five rebounds. Wynter rounded out the key performers with five rebounds on the evening.
 
The Mustangs close out the regular season with one more conference game against the Alvernia University Golden Wolves on Saturday, Feb. 17 for a 1 p.m. tip-off.