A 17-2 first-quarter run by the Mules set the tone early in a 59-35 win for the Muhlenberg women's basketball team over the visiting Susquehanna River Hawks.
Muhlenberg played some of its best basketball of the young season on both sides of the floor over the first seven minutes of the game, shooting 63.6% on the offensive end while allowing a mark of 10%. Offensively, that spurt was led by
Veronica Dawson and
Keira Dougherty, who combined for 15 of the team's 17 first-quarter points. Dawson did it with her jump shot, nailing a three in addition to a pair of mid-range jumpers and a layup for nine points. The freshman was similarly lethal with her jumper, canning a pair of threes for six points.
Muhlenberg pushed the lead to 23 in the second quarter thanks to a truly suffocating defensive effort; the Mules held the River Hawks to just 16.7% from the field and four made field goals in the first half.
Dawson continued her efficient scoring throughout the game, finishing with a game-high 20 points on 53.3% from the field. The junior has been scorching hot from three to start the season, and this game was no different, as she shot three-of-six from beyond the arc.
Dougherty shot even better from three than her teammate, going five-for-eight for all of her 15 points. The freshman was a menace in the passing lanes all afternoon and nabbed four steals.
Sophomore
Linzy Roberson (pictured) had five assists while graduate student
Avery McNulty made her presence felt on the defensive glass, securing 12 defensive rebounds and finishing with 13 overall. McNulty was also a game-high +29.
After allowing 20 offensive rebounds against Misericordia last time out, the Mules flipped the script on the River Hawks. Muhlenberg grabbed 12 offensive rebounds while allowing just four on the other end.
