The Muhlenberg women's basketball team jumped out to a 24-4 lead and went on to defeat Franklin & Marshall, 74-57, for its 20th win of the season.

The 17th-ranked Mules (20-1, 15-1), who remained in a virtual tie with Gettysburg - a one-point winner at Haverford - for first place in the Centennial Conference, reached the 20-win mark for the fourth consecutive season and the 11th time in program history (all in the last 17 seasons). They also improved to 10-0 on the road this season.

Senior Brandi Vallely had a sensational all-around game, finishing with 22 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Senior Rachel Plotke added 18 points, and senior Christina Manning scored 11. Senior Chelsea Gary pulled down 10 rebounds.

Muhlenberg allowed only two field goals in the first quarter, scoring the final eight points of the period to open up a 22-4 advantage. Vallely was involved in all but two of the Mules' 10 first-quarter field goals, scoring four herself and assisting on four.

Sophomore Ashley Polera hit a jumper on Muhlenberg's first possession of the second quarter to extend the lead to 20.

Manning's three-pointer with two minutes left in the half gave the Mules a 23-point edge, 36-13, but the Diplomats (8-12, 5-10) made four consecutive three-pointers and a putback to close to within nine in the first minute of the third quarter.

Plotke (pictured above) drove in for a layup on the next possession, and Muhlenberg's lead never slipped below double digits again.

Vallely's eight assists gave her 640 for her career, moving her into a tie for 19th on the NCAA Division III all-time list.