Messiah (10-1), currently ranked nationally at # 9 in the USA Today/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association poll and # 10 in the D3Hoops.com poll, jumped out to a 37-21 halftime lead on 13-27 field-goal shooting.
They also played tight defense and forced 17 first-half turnovers, compared to only four by their side.
During the second half, the Bearcats managed to cut the lead to single digits by shooting 61 percent (14-23 fg), but Messiah withstood the run by shooting 48 percent (10-21) to clinch their 10th victory of the season.
Senior point guard Jody Trapp (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) had a solid game, particularly in the second half, by scoring 14 points (6-7fg). She finished with 16 points and two steals.
Junior center Dominique McClendon (Chicago, III./Seaside) notched another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Racquel Reid (Bronx, N.Y./Washington Irving) scored 12 points.
Nikki Lobach (Hanover, Penn./South Western) led the home side with 22 points, while Sarah Ringer (Oceanside, Calif./The Bishop’s School) contributed 13 points.
The Bearcats will quickly return to action tomorrow night, January 3, with a conference home game against York College. Tip off in the ARC Arena is scheduled for 7:00 pm.