Box Score

The Muhlenberg women's basketball opened up the 2015-16 season with a thrilling 77-74 win at Moravian.

The Mules came back from an early 12-2 deficit to open up an 18-point lead late in the third quarter, only to have the Greyhounds go on a 22-4 run to tie the score at 63 early in the fourth quarter.

Moravian led 71-67 with under four minutes to go, but Muhlenberg closed the game on a 10-3 run, keeping the Greyhounds off the board for the final 1:48.

Sophomore Brandi Vallely had a memorable first career start, recording the third triple-double in program history with 13 points, 10 rebounds and a school-record 15 assists. Vallely, who was injured for most of last season, has played in six games in her career, tying the school record of 12 assists in one and breaking it in another.

Vallely was one of five Mules in double figures. Sophomore Christina Manning (pictured above), also making her first career start, scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Sophomore Rachel Plotke, another player making her first career start, scored 16 points.

Two frontcourt players complemented Vallely's triple-double with double-doubles. Senior Christina Santone had 15 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five blocked shots, while sophomore Chelsea Gary came off the bench to contribute 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Manning's jumper off an inbounds pass from Vallely made it 71-69, and after a Greyhound miss, Vallely took a pass from junior Maggie Zerbe and went the length of the court for a layup to tie the game.

Two free throws by Santone put Muhlenberg ahead for good, at 73-71, with 2:18 to go, and on the next possession Vallely stole the ball and passed to Plotke for a layup.

Moravian hit a three to draw to within one, at 75-74, but came up empty on its final three possessions. Plotke made two free throws with 15 seconds left to provide the final margin of victory.

The game was the fourth Matte Award contest of the day and completed a Mule sweep. Muhlenberg leads the annual all-sports competition, 8-1, with the next contest scheduled for January 25 in men's basketball.