Despite a big comeback and tremendous effort by senior Dan Gaines, the Muhlenberg men's basketball team fell at home to Swarthmore, 79-75.

The game was the first between the two schools since a memorable Centennial Conference semifinal game in February 2020, when the Garnet, at the time undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Division III, held on for a 65-62 win when a last-second shot by the Mules drew iron.

The rematch did not disappoint, with both teams taking leads in the final minute. The Mules (2-4, 0-1), who trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half, went ahead 75-74 when Gaines hit two free throws for the last of his 30 points with 47.3 seconds left. Swarthmore, ranked eighth in the D3hoops.com preseason poll, made a three-pointer on its next possession to go back in from at 77-75.

Gaines had a good look at the three on Muhlenberg's next possession but could not connect, and the Garnet (4-1, 1-0) put the game away with two free throws.

Swarthmore led for most of a well-played first half in which both teams shot 50 percent or better and committed just two turnovers apiece. 

The Mules trailed 47-41 at the break but scored the first two baskets of the second half to close to within two. The margin was still two, this time at 49-47, before the Garnet went on a 12-0 run to build the biggest lead of the game.

A 16-4 run featuring two three-pointers by senior Dallas Hoffman and one each by Gaines and sophomore Giovanni Rubino brought Muhlenberg back. Hoffman drove in for a layup with 4:30 remaining to tie the score at 69-all and set the stage for the exciting finish.

Gaines (pictured above) shot 10-of-16 from the field in his third career 30-point game. He also dished out 7 assists. Hoffman finished with 18 points, going 4-for-6 from three-point range.