| Mike Miller is one of just three active Division III women's basketball coaches with 700 career wins. Messiah College athletics file photo |
Messiah head coach Mike Miller won his 700th career game when Falcons soared past Hood on Wednesday night, 70-34.
- More milestones: Dick Peth wins 600th at Warburg | Capital’s Dixie Jeffers retires
The game itself was over early as Messiah opened with a 9-2 run and led 30-8 at the half. All-American Leah Springer finished with a double-double (17 points, 14 rebounds) in 28 minutes and the Falcons outrebounded the Blazers 52-23.
Messiah (13-2, 6-1 MACC) has won seven straight and sits a half-game back of York (Pa.) in the MAC Commonwealth.
This was Miller’s second major milestone victory of the season. When Messiah defeated St. Vincent 66-42 on November 19, Miller moved into eighth place all-time in Division III women’s basketball for victories, passing Yvonne Kaufman who won 689 games at nearby Elizabethtown.
Miller is third among active Division III women’s basketball coaches behind only Andy Yosinoff of Emmanuel and Michael Durbin of Saint Benedict. Capital’s Dixie Jeffers, who was second entering the season, retired on Christmas Eve.
Miller’s record is now 700-244 in 36 seasons at his alma mater. In the 20 seasons leading up to this one, Messiah is even better – 509-106 with 19 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Falcons have reached the national championship game twice to date with appearances in 2001 against Washington U. and 2008 against Howard Payne.