Mules Gallop Past Garnet 66-44
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- Muhlenberg junior center Meghan Courtney scored a career-high 25 points as the visiting Mules defeated Swarthmore 66-44 on Tuesday night in Tarble Pavilion.
Muhlenberg opened the game on a 9-0 run, used a disruptive press to create five turnovers in the first 2:30 before the Garnet called a 30-second timeout. Point guard Debbie Farrelly '06 quickly found her game, though, and Swarthmore clawed its way back into the game. Karen Berk '08 led the defensive effort with four early steals and Jennifer Stevenson hit a trio of three-pointers in the final 7:11 as the Garnet closed to within 30-26 at the half.
Both teams struggled offensively early in the second period and the game remained close. A pair of Berk free throws brought the Garnet back within five at 37-32 with 13:45 remaining, but this would prove to be as close as the home team would get. Courtney and Bethany Enterline combined to score the Mules' next nine points as the visitors went on a 11-4 run. Muhlenberg continued to stretch their lead as their defense held the Garnet to 16.7% from the field. Courtney scored her team's last six points before leaving the game with her team ahead by 24.
Courtney's 25 points easily eclipsed her previous career high of 19 points, set on Jan. 10, 2005 vs. PSU-Altoona. She added nine rebounds and a team-leading three steals. Lacie Smith just missed a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Cara Tigue '06 made her second straight strong start in place of the injured Radiance Walters '06, a 2004-05 All-Centennial selection. Tigue set a career-high with 11 rebounds, tying her career-best with five offensive boards (set on Feb. 22 at Haverford), helping the Garnet to a 17-10 advantage on the offensive glass.
Berk led Swarthmore with 16 points and Stevenson added 13.
The team struggled from the floor, shooting only 24.2% (15-62) from the field for the game. Swarthmore was playing its fourth game in five days, following a run to the finals of last weekend's Seven Sisters Tournament at Smith College in Northampton, MA.
The Garnet (4-4 overall, 1-2 CC) are back in action on Thursday night, Dec. 8, traveling to Bryn Mawr College for a 7:00 Centennial contest.