(Grantham, Pa.) – The Dickinson College women's basketball team turned in a strong performance, especially in the second half, but suffered a 58-47 loss at Messiah in the season opener on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils struggled offensively in the first half, trailing, 31-14, at halftime. Dickinson more than doubled its shooting percentage after the break, actually outscoring the Falcons in the second half, 33-27.
Messiah went on an 8-0 run to take a 13-6 lead with 8:46 remaining in the first half. The Falcons held the Devils to just three points in the final seven minutes to gain their biggest advantage as the teams went into halftime.
Messiah pulled in front, 40-20, but the Devils would later make a 10-2 run to cut the lead to single digits, 44-35, with 9:38 remaining in the game. Dickinson continued to battle, pulling within eight with just over four minutes to play. The Devils closed out the game in a 7-2 run for the final of 58-47.
Junior Belma Mekic (Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff) led the Red Devils with 12 points on the night, adding three steals and five rebounds. Classmate Lindsay Finnerty (Tenafly, N.J./Tenafly) scored nine points on 7-of-10 shooting from the free throw line, adding five rebounds as well.
First-year Gillian Ferko (Palmerton, Pa./Marian Catholic) recorded a game-high 11 rebounds in her collegiate debut while classmate Liz Schultz (Dunmore, Pa./Scranton Prep) hit 3-of-4 shots from the floor, adding seven points.
Chelsea Danel led Messiah (1-0) with a game-high 14 points and four steals while Dori Gyori added 11 points and six rebounds.
The Red Devils (0-1) return home to host the Days Inn Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Devils face the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the opening round at 6:00 pm on Saturday night.