The Muhlenberg men's basketball team clamped down on defense when it mattered most to hold off King's for a 60-59 win, snapping a three-game losing skid in the process.
 
The teams kept the game close throughout the contest, with the Mules (9-7) earning the biggest lead of the game going up by nine points in the second half. With the Mules up six, the Monarchs (4-13) tried to mount a late rally but Muhlenberg trapped the Monarchs' leading scorer at the top of the key, causing a missed shot on the final possession that denied a comeback.
 
Junior JeanLee Baez scored a team-high 12 points, making five of his seven shots to go with five rebounds. Senior Jon Schreer and junior Nick Rindock each chipped in nine points and three assists, with Schreer making three key triples in the second half to help Muhlenberg keep its advantage.
 
The Mules took got off to a good start and jumped out to a 15-10 lead after nine minutes thanks to an inside layup from Baez (pictured above). King's came back and took a four-point advantage, but junior Owen McLeod hit a three-pointer to start a 8-0 run for Muhlenberg. A dunk from sophomore Erik Werheim off an offensive rebound gave Muhlenberg back the lead, and Werheim later hit three free throws to make it 23-19.
 
King's again battled to tie the game before junior Nigel Long got fouled and sank two free throws to send the teams to halftime with Muhlenberg up 31-29.
 
Schreer nailed a three-pointer from the wing to start the second half. The Mules maintained their advantage and increased it to 45-37 on a Baez fast-break layup, giving him double-digit points for the game. Senior Brandon LaRose's dunk with 9:45 left stretched Muhlenberg's margin to 49-40, its largest lead of the game.
 
The Monarchs pushed back by going on an 8-1 run and cut Muhlenberg's lead down to two with six minutes left. Rindock stopped the run with a floater in the paint before a Monarchs three-pointer brought the home team to within one.
 
Muhlenberg's defense kept King's from getting any closer and Schreer swished his third triple of the game with 1:42 to go to give his team a 60-54 lead.
 
The Monarchs made one final push, scoring the next five points and setting themselves up with the final shot. The Mules toughened up one last time on defense to force King's into a difficult shot that missed.
 
Senior John Hunter grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Muhlenberg on the glass and he added six points. Freshman Matt Gnias recorded a season-high five steals as well.
 
Muhlenberg made 23-of-27 free throws in the game, including 13-of-14 in the first half. The Mules also had the advantage inside, outrebounding the Monarchs 41-33 and outscoring them 20-10 in the paint.