Box Score Women's Basketball
#7 Lebanon Valley 56, #10 Messiah 62
 
ANNVILLE, Pa. – In a battle of undefeated, top-10 teams, heartbreak was inevitable for one side or the other. #7 Lebanon Valley bears that weight after a 62-56 loss to #10 Messiah Wednesday night.
 
LVC (4-1, 1-1 CC) shot nearly 58 percent from the floor in the first half and led 35-31 at intermission but was outdone by Messiah's consistency. The Dutchmen fell off a bit later on, shooting 35 percent and allowing a pair of 8-0 runs in the second half.
 
Caitlin Bach led the Dutchmen with 15 points, shooting 7-for-12 on the night. Reigning Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week Kiely Chaklos followed with 13 points, and Tierney Hiltz added another 10.
 
LVC created chances by outrebounding Messiah, 45-28. Through a number of stray passes brought on by a competitive press, the Dutchmen committed 18 turnovers – a number that could have been overcome had Messiah (4-0, 1-0) returned the favor. The Falcons forced 11 of LVC's turnovers while committing just eight of their own.
 
The Dutchmen were never hotter than midway through the first half, when Chaklos helped lead the team to an 8-2 run. She hit a pair of jumpers and later connected on a pair of shots from the free throw line.
 
Chaklos led LVC's defense with a season-high nine rebounds. Bach followed with eight, and Renee Fritz grabbed seven. Hiltz and Fritz both recorded blocks.
 
Taylor Miller led the Falcons with 20 points – nine from three-point range. Dori Gyori and Kira Maier scored 12 apiece.
 
The Dutchmen continue conference play Saturday afternoon at home against Widener. Tip off is at 1 p.m.