The Muhlenberg women's basketball team overcame a slow start to win at Rowan, 60-52, in its last game of the calendar year.

Freshman Emily Unger provided the spark for the Mules (5-4), making three consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter en route to scoring a career-high 16 points. Senior Mikaela McGarvey recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Tara Szawaluk, the reigning Centennial Conference player of the week, scored in double figures for the second straight game with 12 points.

Muhlenberg finished its non-conference schedule with a 4-1 record against a challenging schedule that included three teams - Cabrini, DeSales and Rowan - that won postseason games in 2019-20, the last complete season. Rowan was 25-4 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round.

Playing for the first time in 10 days, the Mules missed their first 10 shots before McGarvey made a three midway through the first quarter. That shot tied the game at 3-3, as the defense was keeping the Profs (5-5) in check.

Early in the second quarter, Muhlenberg was 2-for-21 from the field and trailed 18-7, but a three by Szawaluk and three in a row by Unger keyed a 14-0 run that gave the Mules the lead for good.

Ahead 27-23 at halftime, Muhlenberg held Rowan to two field goals in the first eight minutes of the third quarter, extending its lead to 13 (40-27) on a putback by junior Sara Peretti. 

The margin grew to 16 in the fourth quarter before the Profs used their press to force turnovers and make a late run. They got within five points on two occasions in the final minute, but two free throws by Szawaluk and one by Unger sealed the win.

The Mules shot better than 50 percent (20-for-39) after the 2-for-21 start and held Rowan under 30 percent for the game.

Peretti (pictured above) finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds, and senior Amanda Gorski scored 7 points and blocked 3 shots in her first start of the season.