Center Valley, PA (November 12, 2024) - The DeSales University women's basketball team dropped its 2024-25 home opener falling to Messiah University, 61-46, in a non-conference battle of regional powers on Tuesday evening in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: Messiah - 61, DeSales - 46
• Records: DeSales (2-1 Overall); Messiah (1-0 Overall)
• This was the 21st career meeting between the two teams with the Falcons snapping a two-game losing streak to the Bulldogs to take an 11-10 lead in the all-time series.
• Messiah is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com preseason top 25 poll.

How it Happened

• The game was tied early at four before the Falcons scored seven straight points to take an 11-4 lead and led by six (15-9) after one quarter of play.
• Both teams found the offensive touch in the second quarter combining for 34 points as the Falcons took a 33-25 lead into the half after a deep three-pointer from first-year Alexis Berger at the halftime buzzer.
• It was a seven-point game early in the third quarter before MU used another 7-0 run to push the margin up to 14 points (40-26).
• DSU got within 11 points once and 12 several times but were never able to get it back to single digits before Messiah posted the final tally.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Berger led DeSales with 14 points, 13 of which came in the first-half.
• Junior Lindsay Bednarek had 10 points off the bench as the only other double digit scorer.

For the Foes

• Liv Monturo posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
• Hope Cook led the Falcons with 13 points and Reese Harden added 11.

Inside the Box Score

• Messiah dominated the glass out-rebounding DeSales, 35-22, including 13 offensive rebounds.
• The Bulldogs committed 19 turnovers leading to 16 Falcon points.
• DSU shot well from the field (42.9 percent) and Messiah was outstanding from the free throw line (78.9 percent).

Up Next

• DeSales is back in action on Saturday when they host Shenandoah University in another tough non-conference battle set to begin at 2:00 pm.