The Muhlenberg women's basketball team gave nationally ranked Gettysburg a battle from the opening tip - literally - but ended up falling, 58-49.

The Bullets (16-1, 12-0) are ranked 20th and 22nd in the two Division III polls and have not lost a game since the opening day of the season.

Sophomore Margaux Eripret retrieved the opening jump ball and drove in for a layup that gave the Mules (7-9, 5-6) a 2-0 lead just four seconds into the game. 

Gettysburg led 21-11 early in the second quarter, but tight defense and six points by Eripret helped bring Muhlenberg back. Sophomore Mikaela McGarvey hit a three with 1:09 left to give the Mules a 26-24 lead, then knocked down two free throws with 4.6 seconds on the clock to send the home team into the locker room with a 28-26 advantage.

The game was tied at 39 late in the third quarter before the Bullets made back-to-back three-pointers to take control. Although the Mules kept it close, they didn't have a possession with a chance to tie in the fourth quarter.

Eripret (pictured above) led Muhlenberg with 13 points, while McGarvey finished with 12.

The Mule defense held the Bullets 12 points below their CC-leading average of 70.7 per game. Gettysburg also came in fourth in Division III in field-goal percentage (.480) but was held to a season-low .306 shooting.