The Muhlenberg women's basketball team closed out the regular season with a remarkable comeback to defeat Washington College, 66-52.

The Mules (13-12, 12-8), who were already locked in to playing at Haverford in a first-round Centennial Conference playoff game, trailed 19-1 after eight minutes against the Shorewomen (13-12, 9-11), who needed the win to clinch a playoff berth.

Muhlenberg finally made its first field goal, with 1:59 left in the first quarter, closed to within two at halftime and dominated the second half to win their third straight game.

Graduate student Margaux Eripret scored 24 points and added 10 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season in her final home game. Sophomore Ava Connolly added 13 points, while junior Caroline Horst finished with 5 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals.

A sign that the tide might be turning came late in the first quarter, when a Washington player accidentally tipped the ball into her own basket following a missed Muhlenberg free throw. A three by Connolly to close the first quarter and another by freshman Avery McNulty to open the second brought the Mules to within striking range at 23-12.

Down 25-16, Muhlenberg made three three-pointers (one each by Connolly, Eripret and sophomore Emily Vaughan) in an 11-2 run that tied the game at 27 with 4:23 left in the second quarter - less than eight minutes in playing time since the 19-1 deficit.

The third quarter saw ties at 36 and 38 before Eripret made a pair of free throws to give the Mules the lead for good. After a three-pointer by sophomore Rachel Saxton (pictured above) was answered by one from the Shorewomen, Muhlenberg held Washington to one field goal over the final four minutes of the third quarter to extend the lead to eight.

Sophomore Emily Unger scored on the first possession of the fourth quarter to give the Mules their first double-digit lead, and the outcome was never seriously in doubt after that.

Ironically, Washington clinched a CC playoff berth anyway, thanks to Swarthmore's loss to Gettysburg.