MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Stevenson women's basketball (7-17, 6-9) concluded their last regular- season on-the-road game, trailing the top Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) team, the No. 13-ranked Messiah Falcons, 56-44.
 
Sophomore guard Laci Johnson scored 15 points, recording two assists, five three-pointers out of 12 attempted, and a pair of rebounds. First year forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques continued to prove herself, notching nine total rebounds and four points. In the early game lead battle, senior guard Morgan Pennick topped the team by the end of the evening with five turnovers caused.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Falcons scored early, tallying four points in the first three minutes. Jean-Jacques was first to score for the Mustangs just seconds after the second basket from the home team. The clock ticked on as the Mustangs made a successful free throw with 2:35 remaining. Pennick followed with a basket, as SU remained just behind the Falcons' offense, ending the opening period 10-7.
 
SECOND QUARTER
The second quarter tested the Mustangs, as the gap widened early on. The Falcons scored four more points before a successful layup from senior forward Morgan DeBeary. Johnson's two successful three-point shots about 40 seconds apart gave the Mustangs the lead, 15-14, with just 4:16 remaining. A free throw tied the game at 15-15 for the first time. Stevenson temporarily lost the lead at a Messiah free throw, but Johnson managed a third three-pointer, giving the Mustangs an 18-15 lead. The Falcons tied the game one last time, 18-18, with just over a minute left, and then went on to end the half on top, 22-18.
 
THIRD QUARTER
The Mustangs managed seven points in the third period. Johnson made her fourth successful three-pointer of the night with just over five minutes remaining, bringing the score to 29-23. The Falcons managed 12 more points, ending the third period on top 41-25.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Pennick opened the final period with a three-pointer seven seconds in, and Johnson followed with her fifth three-pointer of the evening to narrow the gap following a shot from Jean-Jacques just over a minute earlier. The bottom half of the quarter saw attempts from DeBeary, two from junior forward Michelle Mesquita, and from senior forward Ellie Boswell. Unable to close the gap again, the Mustangs lost in a 56-44 decision.
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs fall to 7-17 overall and 6-9 in conference play. The Falcons improve to 22-2 overall and 15-0 in conference play. Originally in a three-way tie for fifth in the conference standings, the Mustangs are now tied for sixth with Widener University. They return home this Saturday, Feb. 18 for Senior Day festivities against Eastern University at 1 p.m. With the first seed clinched, the Falcons travel to Lebanon Valley on Saturday at 1 p.m. to finish the regular season.