An eight-point halftime lead quickly rose to double figures, powering the Muhlenberg women's basketball team to a 54-48 win over Franklin & Marshall and a .500 record in Centennial Conference play.
 
Freshman Sara Peretti found sophomore Margaux Eripret for a layup on the opening possession of the third quarter to put the Mules (7-8, 5-5) in front 33-23. With the help of a hearty defensive effort that held the Diplomats (5-10, 3-7) to just three field goals in the third quarter and a three-point play from senior Emily O'Mahoney, the Mules led by as many as 18 at 47-29 with two minutes left in the frame.
 
The visitors held the Mules to one field goal in the fourth quarter to help cut their deficit to single digits with 2:34 left when a three-point play that made the score 50-43. They wouldn't get close than five the rest of the way.
 
The Mules began building a lead early, on the heels of a nine-point run that culminated in a 12-2 lead with 2:40 left in the first quarter. Freshman Kassidy Stout (pictured above) capped the run by laying in a backdoor pass from senior Madison Kirchofer. Stout picked up an assist on a lay-in from classmate Jaelyn Swann on the previous possession after recording a block and the ensuing rebound on the preceding F&M possession.
 
Another freshman, Sara Peretti, led the Mules in scoring with 17 points, including 13 in the first half. Peretti has led Muhlenberg in scoring in four of the last five games.
 
Three Mules – O'Mahoney, Eripret and senior Emilie Benton – tied for the team lead with five rebounds. The trio led Muhlenberg to a 39-32 margin on the glass, outboarding the 26th ranked team in Division III in turnover margin. Muhlenberg held the conference's leading rebounder to just five rebounds – she entered the game averaging 11.9 per game.