St. DAVIDS, Pa.– In last year's season-finale, Eastern University Women's Basketball took league-leading Messiah to the final whistle in a 48-42 loss. Even while recognizing the team's seniors before the game, the Eagles could not find that magic today against a Messiah team that completed an unbeaten run through the MAC Commonwealth with today's 71-35 win. The Falcon's stifling defense limited the Eastern offense to only 23 points in the first three quarters.

Before the game, the Eagles honored senior players Tyerra Jarvis and Kayla Worsley Wooten and Trinity Upton, who completed her eligibility as a graduate student. They also recognized the contributions of student-manager Sam Sturkey.

The Eastern defense kept things tight through the opening quarter. The Eagles (2-23, 1-13) kept the Falcons on the perimeter and did a good job contesting shots. Messiah went 0-of-8 from behind the arc in the quarter, but they made 5-of-6 foul shots and still led 11-9 at the first break. With the Falcons focused on Jeriyah Johnson, the Eagles had four different players score in the first quarter.

Two minutes into the second quarter, Johnson scored on a tough floater to tie the game at 11. As they have done for much of their 16-game winning streak, the Falcons (23-2, 14-0) put together a big run that made the difference. Over the next six and a half minutes, Messiah outscored the Eagles 18-to-2. They had six players score in the run and held the Eagles to 1-of-9 from the floor.

Johnson made her second hoop of the day with 1:11 on the clock, but Messiah held a 32-15 halftime lead.

Coming into today's game, the Falcons, who were picked second in the Coaches Poll before the year, had won their league games by 20 points a contest. Only one league opponent was within 10 points at the end of the game.

The Falcons kept their focus at both ends of the floor and pushed their lead to 58-23 at the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles stayed level with their guests through the fourth, but they were not able to take a significant bite out of the Messiah lead.

Johsnon, Damiyae Moyet, and Dominique Geiger each scored six points for the Eagles. Liv Monturo and Reese Harden each had 14 to lead Messiah. The Falcons shot 48.3 percent from the floor for the game while holding the Eagles to 30.4.

Johnson finishes her junior season with 420 points on the year. She has 1028 points in her career.