January 26, 2008
Mules Fend Off Shoremen, 73-69
Kohlrus Scores 18 Points in Loss for Washington

ALLENTOWN, PA – Host Muhlenberg College withstood a late rally by visiting Washington College en route to a 73-69 Centennial Conference men's basketball victory this afternoon in Memorial Hall. The Mules improved to 8-9 overall and 6-4 in conference play with the win, while the Shoremen fell to 4-13 and 1-9.

Muhlenberg never trailed in the game and built a 37-25 lead by halftime. The Mules held a 70-62 lead with 52 seconds left in the game before Washington sophomore guard/forward Andrew Chambers (Williamsport, MD/St. Maria Goretti) hit a three-pointer with 44 seconds to go to make it 70-65. After a Muhlenberg turnover, junior guard Tim Kohlrus (Fairfax, VA/W.T. Woodson) hit a jumper and was fouled for the Shoremen. Kohlrus missed the free throw and the Mules clung to a 70-67 lead with 31 seconds left.

Mike Bernardini sunk a pair of free throws with 29 seconds on the clock to push the lead back to five at 72-67. Washington sophomore forward James Whall (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) kept the Shoremen's hopes alive with a put-back with 15 seconds left that made it 72-69, but Bernardini made it a two-possession game once again to seal the win by making the first of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining.

Ryan Foster scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range, and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Mules. Bernardini finished with 16 points, while Obi Nwizugbo tallied a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Peter Barnes added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Mules.

Kohlrus paced the Shoremen with 18 points, while sophomore forward Bobby Klepacki (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion) and sophomore guard Alan Kines (Towson, MD/Towson) each added 11 points.

Muhlenberg shot 53% from the field and 87% from the line, while Washington was 39% and 59%, respectively. Muhlenberg also held a 40-32 advantage on the boards. Turnover margin once again kept the Shoremen in the game as they committed just 12 turnovers to Muhlenberg's 23. Over their last three games, the Shoremen have committed 37 fewer turnovers than their opponents, but have lost all three of those games by a combined total of 11 points.

The Shoremen return to action Wednesday with an 8:00 p.m. Centennial Conference home game against Johns Hopkins.

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