Box Score

GRANTHAM, Pa. – Despite outshooting No. 15/22 Messiah College by a percentage point, the Lycoming College women’s basketball team fell to the Falcons, 53-37, in the Commonwealth Conference opener for both squads on Wednesday night at Brubaker Auditorium.

The Warriors (3-3 overall, 0-1 Commonwealth) shot 38 percent (15-for-40) from the field while the Falcons (4-2 overall, 1-0 Commonwealth) shot 37 percent (19-for-51), but Messiah was able to gain the advantage thanks to shooting 32 percent (7-for-22) from 3-point range and also by hitting three more free throws. The Falcons also held a 37-27 advantage on the glass.

The Falcons took a 32-19 lead going into the half, led by 10 points from Dori Gyori. The teams fought out to a 6-5 start before Messiah went on a 12-0 run to take control of the game. The Warriors cut the lead to seven points after a free throw from sophomore Leeann Randall (Audobon, Pa./Methacton) made it 22-15 with 7:57 left. However, the Falcons extended the lead to 15 points just before half on a 3-pointer from Chelsea Danel with eight seconds left. The Warriors got a layup from senior Kaitlyn Ober (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) as time expired to end the half.

In the second half, the teams struggled to find their footing offensively, as neither team scored in the first 4:20 before the teams traded buckets, with a layup from freshman Julia Antonelli (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford) making it an 11-point game at 34-23 with 13:51 left. The Falcons scored the next seven points, though, with a three from Danel giving the Falcons an 18-point lead. From there, the Warriors couldn’t draw within 13 points again.

The Warriors were led by eight points and four rebounds from Antonelli and seven points, two steals and two rebounds from junior Chelsea Shearer (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown Area). Both Randall and senior Rebecca Spencer (Granville Summit, Pa./Troy) posted six points, with Randall adding four boards. Ober added five points and four rebounds and freshman Jessica Knott (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) posted a career-high four assists.

Messiah was led by 17 points and nine rebounds from Gyori and Danel added 12 points and three steals. Kira Maier posted four points and nine rebounds and Tremaine Simmons added 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Warriors get back in action on Saturday when it hosts Commonwealth Conference foe at 1 p.m. as the first game of a basketball doubleheader. The men’s teams will follow at 3 p.m.