Box Score

Four players scored in double figures to complement an outstanding defensive effort as the Muhlenberg men's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with a 74-66 win at Albright on the first day of the Centennial/MAC Challenge.

The Mules return home to face Arcadia, a 79-61 winner over Haverford in the first game, in the "championship game" Saturday night.

Junior John Hunter scored 12 of his game-high 17 points in the first half to help Muhlenberg to a 36-24 lead at the break. Hunter, who added eight rebounds and three blocked shots, was 6-of-8 from the field in the opening 20 minutes and made three field goals in a 13-1 run that gave the Mules an early 15-6 lead in front of a loud, energetic Albright crowd.

The Lions came back to tie the game at 15 but made only three field goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half and never took the lead. Muhlenberg's defense held the Lions to 26.9-percent shooting in the first half and 32.8 percent for the game.

Two free throws by sophomore Nick Rindock (15 points) and a three-point play by senior Alec Stavetski (16 points) put the Mules ahead to stay at 22-17. Muhlenberg ended the half on a 10-3 run punctuated by a three-point play on a dunk by junior Brandon LaRose.

Rindock (pictured above) made the first two baskets of the second half to give the Mules their biggest lead, 16 points. The margin remained in double digits until less than four minutes remained. Albright closed to within four with a minute remaining, but Muhlenberg did not allow another point and put the game away at the foul line.

Stavetski went 7-for-7 from the line and added eight rebounds, while Rindock pulled down a career-high nine boards. Junior Jon Schreer scored 12 points.