MIAMI GARDENS, FL- The Immaculata women's basketball team opened play in the Cruzin Classic this afternoon taking on the 24th-ranked Messiah University Falcons. The Mighty Macs fell to the Falcons by a score of 61-52. 

In the first quarter, Immaculata jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead behind a three-pointer from Erin Kelly, a layup from Kaitlyn Racobaldo, and a pair of baskets by Reese Mullins. Messiah would bounce back by scoring the next 17 points to open a 19-9 lead. Immaculata closed the lead to 19-13 to end the first quarter of play. 

In the second quarter, Messiah continued to put pressure on Immaculata and led 24-13 with 7:08 remaining in the half. Reese Mullins scored 11 straight points for Immaculata including two three-pointers. Despite Mullins's success, Messiah kept scoring and the Macs were only able to trim the lead to seven points with 4:20 remaining. Abigail Lentowski hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds of the quarter, and Messiah took a 36-26 lead into the halftime break. 

In the first minute of the third quarter, Immaculata trimmed the Messiah lead to seven with Morgan Falcone hitting a jumper, and following a turnover Falcone hit a three-pointer to make the score 38-31. Messiah would outscore Immaculata 12-5 to finish the quarter leading 50-36. 

Immaculata would not go quietly in the fourth quarter, as the Macs outscored Messiah 16-11 in the final frame. Erin Kelly scored five points, and Kaitlyn Racobaldo and Olivia Ettorre each scored four points in the quarter. Messiah would close out the win with a final score of 61-52. 

Reese Mullins was the game's leading scorer with 19 points shooting 7-12 from the field and 2-3 from behind the arc. Today, Kaitlyn Racobaldo returned to the Macs lineup and contributed nine points and five rebounds. Erin Kelly and Morgan Falcone each contributed eight points and were 2-3 from behind the arc.  

Immaculata will conclude their Florida trip on Sunday, December 18th when they take on Spalding University. Tip-off is at 2:30 PM.