The Muhlenberg men's basketball team came back from an 11-point deficit to post a thrilling 81-76 win at Drew.

The Mules (2-0) outscored the Rangers 45-36 in the second half to send the defending Landmark Conference champions to defeat in their season opener.

Junior Justin Allen scored 17 points to lead four Muhlenberg players in double figures. Seniors Dan Gaines, Dallas Hoffman and Noah Watson added 16, 15 and 10, with Gaines also recording 7 assists and 4 steals.

Drew went on a 12-0 run to open up a 23-12 lead midway through the first half. The Mules cut the gap to four by halftime, but the Rangers made the first two buckets of the second half to extend their lead back to nine.

Muhlenberg stayed within striking distance, however, and finally tied the score at 53-all on a layup by Allen (pictured above) with 11:09 to play.

A three-pointer by freshman Jayson Williams-Johnson with 8:42 remaining gave the Mules the lead for good at 62-60. 

The margin was three, 75-72, heading into the final two minutes, but the Rangers never had a possession with a chance to tie the game. Allen hit a mid-range jumper with the shot clock winding down to make it 77-72, and sophomore Giovanni Rubino calmly made both ends of a one-and-one twice in the last 35 seconds to put the game away.

The Mules outrebounded the Rangers, 39-30, with senior Nate Henty Brown pulling down a team-leading 9 boards.