Falcons remain perfect by downing McDaniel, 76-62

GRANTHAM, Pa. - Julie Henninger recorded 21 points, including hitting 13 of her 14 free-throw attempts, to lead Messiah to a 76-62 women's basketball victory over McDaniel in the final game of the Messiah/Wingate Hotel Invitational on Saturday.

Ali Moreland (Davidsonsville, Md./South River) led the Green Terror (0-2) with 18 points while Katelyn Fischer (Reisterstown, Md./Seton Keough), Catherine Mills (Ijamsville, Md./Urbana) and Ashley Lyles (Laurel, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) all added 10 points apiece.

Michele Schleich and Jordan Seiz chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Falcons (3-0), who also got 11 points from Kira Maier.

In a first half that featured six ties and eight lead changes, McDaniel built a 21-16 lead on a Cara Thompson (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) three-point play with 9:03 to play.

The Falcons countered with six straight points to take a 22-21 lead just 1:12 later.

After two Kim Acton (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) free throws gave the Green Terror a 28-24 lead with 4:47 remaining in the period, Messiah  - behind five points from Henninger - tallied 11 of the half's final 13 points to take a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

A Moreland jumper with 17:01 to play in the second half knotted the game at 39-all but a 16-5 Falcon run over a six-minute span opened up a 55-44 lead with 10:48 showing.

Five straight points from Maier capped the stretch.

A Sally Grace (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales Academy) layup capped a quick 7-0 burst that trimmed the deficit to four but Messiah countered with an 11-1 run that made it a 14-point game with five minutes to play.

The Green Terror opens its Centennial Conference schedule at home against No. 10 Muhlenberg on Tuesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

-30-