HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata women's basketball team lost to visiting #25 Messiah University, 65-50, Saturday afternoon inside Memorial Gymnasium. 

Laney Gerdich totaled 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Steph Emert tallied 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Haily Sherman contributed 11 points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Bri Bodtorf had six points, three rebounds, six assists, and one steal, while Deja Gillo had six points, three rebounds, and two assists off the bench.

Sherman opened the game by picking a Falcon's player pocket, beating everyone down the court, and laying it up to open the scoring. She later drilled a three on the right wing off a pass from Bodtorf, and later, Sherman stole the ball again. This time, she found Emert for a layup. The rest of the quarter was fast and furious, as the teams exchanged the lead five times over the course of the quarter. Juniata trailed after one, 25-16.  

The middle two quarters saw the defenses lock-in, as Juniata scored 20 points in the second and third quarters while Messiah totaled 23. A Gillo jumper to beat the shot clock in the final 30 seconds of the quarter cut the deficit to 12 heading into the final quarter. 

 The Eagles got within 12 several times over the course of the fourth quarter but couldn't get any closer the rest of the game. 

 Juniata will return to action after the holiday for the JC Holiday Tournament against King's at 6:00 PM.