Behind 21 points from
Keira Dougherty (pictured) and a strong second half, the Muhlenberg Mules defeated the visiting Misericordia Cougars 66-62 to move to 2-0 on the season.
After exiting halftime down seven at 36-29, the hosts cut into that deficit with a
Lyndsey Costigan layup and a Dougherty three-pointer to open the third quarter. By the end of the third, the Mules cut the deficit to just one thanks to a renewed defensive effort. That started with an employment of a full-court press and active hands, the combination of which resulted in eight Cougar turnovers, over half of their game total of 15. Leading that charge were Costigan and Dougherty, who each nabbed multiple steals in the period and finished with three and four in the game, respectively.
Muhlenberg took the lead and extended it to an eight-point advantage midway through the fourth, but a bucket and a few timely Misericordia three-pointers cut that lead to one with under a minute to go. With 17 seconds remaining, the Mules needed a defensive stop to win.
Linzy Roberson managed to tip the ball away from the ball handler as she drove towards the basket, which went off of the Cougar player and out of bounds for Muhlenberg ball. A pair of made free throws by Costigan and another defensive stop secured the win for the hosts.
One theme of the evening was how Muhlenberg attacked the basket in transition throughout the contest, resulting in a 21-5 advantage in fast-break points. Another theme was the Cougars' determination on the offensive glass; the visitors finished the game with a 20-11 advantage on the offensive glass.
Joining Dougherty in double figures in points were Roberson (12) and Costigan (10), while the senior led the Mules in rebounds with 11 to notch her first double-double of the season. Muhlenberg did a good job of taking care of the ball, turning it over just 10 times.
