December 9, 2006
Mules Pull Away from Shorewomen
Turner Paces WC with 15 Points, 9 Boards

BALTIMORE, MD – Host Muhlenberg College used a 20-4 run at the start of the second half to take control of the game en route to a 79-60 Centennial Conference women's basketball win over visiting Washington College this afternoon at Memorial Hall in Allentown, PA. The Mules (8-0, 4-0 Centennial), the defending Centennial Conference Champions, got game highs of 30 points and 15 rebounds from Meghan Courtney in the win.

The Shorewomen led by as many as seven points in the first half following a put-back by freshman center Melissa Joseph (Selden, NY/Newfield) that made the score 32-25 in favor of the Shorewomen with 3:15 to play before the break. Muhlenberg cut the lead to 35-33 by halftime, however, as Courtney hit a three-pointer with four seconds on the clock.

The Mules came out on fire to open the second half, scoring the first 13 points of the period and 20 of the first 24 to surge ahead, 53-49, following a three-pointer by Kaitlyn O'Malley with 14:33 remaining. The Mules connected on eight of their first 10 field goal attempts in the second half. Muhlenberg led by at least 12 points the rest of the way.

Courtney's 30 points came on 12-for-26 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 shooting from the free throw line. She also dished out four assists and blocked two shots. Emily Wright added 12 point and four assists for the Mules, while Lauren Boyle finished with 10 points in 12 minutes off the bench. Abra Like dished out a game-high seven assists and Erin McSherry collected 10 rebounds.

Senior guard LaToya Turner (Chestertown, MD/Kent County) led Washington with 15 points and a career-best eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Brianne Slizofksi (Collegeville, PA/Pius X) poured in 13 points, grabbed eight boards, and swiped a game-high three steals, while freshman guard Jane O'Donnell (Cape May Court House, NJ/Wildwood Catholic) tallied 11 points. Joseph finished with eight rebounds and a career-high tying eight points.

Muhlenberg shot 58% from the floor in the second half to finish at 47% for the game. Washington shot 35% in the contest. The Mules held a 46-39 rebounding advantage.

The Shorewomen (2-6, 0-5) return to action one week from today with a 2:00 p.m. game at St. Joseph (VT).

BOX SCORE