ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Playing in its MAC Commonwealth opener on Saturday afternoon, Eastern Women's Basketball battled vailantly against rival Messiah, winners of five straight MAC Commonwealth titles. The Eagles hung with the Falcons from bell to bell, but shooting struggles in the second quarter, combined with turnover issues throughout the contest, resulted in a 60-53 defeat.

After Mikayla Wright opened the scoring with a layup on the Eagles' first possession, the Falcons responded with an 8-0 run, taking an 8-2 lead at the 5:55 mark of the first quarter. Messiah increased its advantage to 11-5 a few minutes later, but the Eagles responded with a 9-2 run of their own to tie the contest at 13-13. Ashya Gaddy started the run with a pair of baskets, Camila Sosa knocked down a pair of free throws, and Taryn Woodson capped off the scoring surge with a basket in transition off a Messiah turnover.

Kayla Jefferson provided the highlight of the opening period, swishing a triple from the logo as time expired to give the Eagles a 16-15 lead at the break.

However, after shooting 5-for-8 in the first quarter, the Eagles' offense faltered in the second, knocking down just one of its nine attempts. Four straight free throws from Sosa and Wright gave the Eagles a 22-20 advantage with 4:47 to play in the first half, but the Falcons ended the quarter on a 11-2 run, regaining a lead they would not relinquish.

Eastern twice cut the Falcons' lead to three in the first 4:34 of the second half, but Messiah had an answer for each Eagles' push, eventually rebuilding its advantage to nine with 3:04 to play in the period. However, Eastern came roaring back again, ending the quarter on a 6-0 surge on baskets from Sosa, Wright, and Gaddy to trim its deficit to 39-36.

The Eagles would not get any closer as the Falcons scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter and led by no less than four points the rest of the way. Messiah took advantage of 25 Eastern turnovers, scoring 24 points, while also collecting 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 11 second chance points.

Wright collected a season-high 17 points on six-of-14 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two steals, while Gaddy finished with 13 points and three rebounds.

Eastern will travel down the Blue Route on Wednesday to do battle with Widener. Tip is set for 6:00 pm.