GRANTHAM, Pa. – Junior Akilah McFadden (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) led a group of three Lycoming College women's basketball players in double figures, but seventh-ranked Messiah College used a strong second half to post a 70-43 MAC Commonwealth win on Wednesday night, Feb. 6, at Hitchcock Arena.
 
McFadden posted 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals to lead the Warriors (16-7 overall, 10-4 MAC Commonwealth), who shot 33 percent (17-of-52) from the field. Junior Kayla Kline (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) added 12 points and seven rebounds and senior Becca Painter (Elverson, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) posted 11 points and two assists.
 
Lycoming stayed close in the first quarter, with Kline banking in a 3-pointer with 2:18 left to tie the game at 11 and a layup from McFadden tying the game at 13 just 10 seconds into the second quarter. However, the Falcons went on a run of eight straight points. The Warriors cut the lead to four with a free throw from Kline with 5:47 left in the period and McFadden swished a 3-pointer with 1:34 left to make it 29-23. However, Maci Thornton countered with an old-fashioned 3-point play to give Messiah a 32-23 advantage at the break. In the second half, Messiah's Becca Isaac hit a 3-pointer to start the period and kept the lead in double figures the rest of the game.
 
Messiah shot 44 percent from the field, including 54 percent in the second half. Alecia Rohrer led the Falcons with 22 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks and Thornton posted 10 points, five assists and four steals. Isaac posted 12 points and Eleana Eckley added 11.
 
The Warriors get back on the court on Saturday, Feb. 9, when they host Hood College at 1 p.m. in a MAC Commonwealth game.