The Muhlenberg women's basketball team spent almost the entire game trying to catch up and fell to Johns Hopkins, 62-52, in its Centennial Conference opener.

The Mules (2-1, 0-1) led only twice, 2-0 and 4-2. Although the Blue Jays (4-1, 1-0) never gave up the lead after taking it, the game was close and hard-fought throughout thanks to an outstanding defensive effort by Muhlenberg. Hopkins scored more than 80 points in each of its two previous games but was held to 29.5-percent shooting.

Senior Mikaela McGarvey scored a team-high 10 points and was Muhlenberg's recipient of the Scotty Wood Weekend player of the game trophy. Senior Margaux Eripret and junior Sara Peretti scored 9 points apiece. 

Hopkins led 29-20 late in the second quarter, but the Mules eventually closed to within one, at 29-28, on a three-point play by sophomore Abigail Scheidel early in the third quarter. Muhlenberg had two possessions with a chance to take the lead but could not convert, and the Blue Jays built their lead back up to eight.

Again the Mules came back, almost all the way, scoring six straight points to cut the margin to two late in the quarter. Again the Blue Jays held Muhlenberg off and built their lead.

Muhlenberg's last chance came in the fourth quarter, when back-to-back layups by Eripret made the score 47-44 with six minutes to play, but the Mules made only two field goals the rest of the game. 

pictured above: freshman Rachel Saxton