ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - In its first game at the NEST in 2023, Eastern Women's Basketball, despite a valiant effort, dropped a 61-42 decision to Messiah on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles led by two points at the first quarter break, but Messiah (12-2, 5-0 MACC) outscored Eastern 49-28 the rest of the way. Eastern shot just 29.1 percent (16-of-55) from the field and turned the ball over 20 times.

The Falcons jumped out to an early 9-1 lead in the opening 5:09 of the contest, but Eastern (2-10, 0-5 MACC) came roaring back with a 13-2 run. First-year guard Jeriyah Johnson began the run with four straight points, before graduate guard Wynter Bess scored five straight points of her own, including a triple, to give Eastern the lead at 10-9. Johnson followed with two more baskets to put the Eagles up 14-11, and Eastern took a two-point advantage into the second quarter.

However, the Eagles were unable to keep up their offensive momentum. After falling behind by two, a three-pointer from sophomore guard Kayla-Worsley Wooten put Eastern back ahead 17-16, but the Falcons regained the lead for good with a triple on their next possession. For the second quarter, Messiah outscored Eastern 17-6 to take a nine-point advantage into halftime. Messiah hit a triple to extend its lead to double digits early in the second half, and the Eagles would get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

"I know I've said this a lot, but we are such a young team," Eastern Head Coach Eric Houston said. "And our youth showed once again this afternoon. We will get there."

Johnson put together another tremendous performance, leading the Eagles with 20 points to go along with three rebounds, one block, two assists, and two steals. Bess finished the contest with nine points and a team-high six rebounds.

Eastern will head back to Reading this coming Wednesday to do battle with MAC Commonwealth foe Albright. The contest is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm.