The Muhlenberg women's basketball opened Centennial Conference play with a 55-53 loss at Swarthmore in a game that came down to the final possession.

The Mules (5-1) went on an 8-0 run down the stretch to turn a seven-point deficit into a one-point lead, going ahead 53-52 when junior Ava Connolly hit a pair of free throws with 1:19 remaining.

Swarthmore (2-2) regained the lead with a layup on its next possession. Muhlenberg took three shots with a chance to tie or take the lead in the final 30 seconds but could not connect.

The Mules went more than seven minutes from the start of the game without scoring before sophomore Mia Fitzgerald broke the ice with a three. They trailed 15-5 after the first period before getting back in the game with an incredible shooting display in the second quarter.

Muhlenberg went 6-for-6 from three-point range in the second period, scoring 24 points to take a two-point lead into the break, Junior Emily Unger led the way with a trio of triples, while Connolly (pictured above) and sophomores Riley Cassidy and Avery McNulty hit one each.

The Garnet opened up an eight-point lead in the third quarter and stayed in front until the Mules made their late push.

Unger and Cassidy led Muhlenberg with 11 points apiece, while junior Jenna Stockfeder, coming off a 19-rebound game, had another big night on the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds.