Box Score

GRANTHAM, Pa. – Lebanon Valley fell behind 31-18 at halftime and was unable to recover as third-seeded LVC dropped a 60-44 decision to second-seeded Messiah in the Commonwealth Conference semifinals Wednesday evening at Brubaker Auditorium.

Lebanon Valley (16-8) will now hope for a possible berth in the ECAC Southern Region playoffs. Messiah (23-3) will advance to Saturday’s Commonwealth Conference championship game to take on top-seeded Moravian, which defeated fourth-seeded Widener 78-71 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

The Falcons (23-3), ranked No. 8 by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and No. 10 by D3hoops.com, received a game-high 21 points from Marita Rydell, while Kristin Sassaman added 17 points and seven rebounds for Messiah, which won its eighth straight game over the Valley. Eli Cook had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Sarah Ringer posted six points, 10 rebounds, and four steals.

Senior center Jennifer Northcott recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while senior guard Erin Eaby had 10 points, bringing her career total to 999. Senior forward Tamika Rogers added five points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while senior guard Crystal Gibson had six points and six rebounds.

Messiah held LVC to a season-low 23.8% shooting from the field. The Falcons held a 48-43 edge in the rebounding department.

[Photo - Senior center Jennifer Northcott, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds in Lebanon Valley's 60-44 loss to Messiah in the Commonwealth Conference semifinals on Wednesday]

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