Allentown, Pa. (Dec. 14, 2024) - Muhlenberg College (10-1) used a big second quarter to pull away from Alvernia University (4-4) and pace the Mules to a 54-44 win over the Golden Wolves on Saturday afternoon in non-conference women's basketball action at Muhlenberg. 

The Golden Wolves and Mules were tied 11-11 through the first quarter, but the Mules outscored Alvernia 20-7 in the second to pull away. The Golden Wolves outscored Muhlenberg in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome. The win marked Muhlenberg's tenth straight win.

How it Happened

• The Mules scored the opening points of the contest with a jumper on their first possession, but Alvernia answered immediately with an Olivia Burke 3-pointer to take an early 3-2 lead. But, the lead did not last long as Muhlenberg retook it, 4-3, through 1:15 of action.
• Muhlenberg's early go-ahead layup marked the start of a nearly four minute scoreless stretch for both sides. But, Alvernia ended the drought with a Jordyn Ingelido 3-pointer to retake the lead, 6-4, as the quarter hit its midpoint.
• Alvernia kept working it from beyond the arc as Aaliyah Ferrer joined in on the 3-point scoring to give Alvernia the 9-7 lead with 2:22 to play in the quarter.
• Alvernia held Muhlenberg without a field goal in the final minutes of the first quarter, but the Mules tied the game on free throws to make it an 11-11 contest going into the second frame.
• The Golden Wolves trailed Muhlenberg by two, 16-14, with 6:41 to play in the half following a Kylie Bradford layup. But, a layup from Muhlenberg on its next possession made it a two-possession game and sparked a 15-4 run for the Mules to close out the quarter and give Muhlenberg a 31-18 lead going into the break.
• The Mules pushed their lead to 34-18 with an opening possession 3-pointer in the third quarter, but Alvernia got back within 14 on a putback layup from Jennah DeGout. 
• Back-to-back 3-pointers from Ingelido and Ferrer later in the quarter got Alvernia back within 12, 38-26, but Muhlenberg quickly pushed its lead back up 17 on its next two possessions.
• Alvernia could not get any closer than that in the third quarter, but the Golden Wolves ended the third frame on a high-note with a Burke 3-pointer in the final seconds of the quarter to make it a 15 point game, 48-33, going into the final quarter.
• Alvernia was held scoreless through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, but Muhlenberg put up just six during the same stretch. Alvernia got on the board for the quarter with three made free throws by Bradford, and Alvernia got some fresh life for the final minutes on a 3-pointer by Paige O'Brien. Those five points between Bradford and O'Brien sparked an 11-0 run for the Golden Wolves to close out the game as Alvernia held Muhlenberg scoreless for over six minutes to close out the game. But, Muhlenberg's lead was too much to overcome as the Mules took the 54-44 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Olivia Burke led Alvernia with ten points and seven rebounds, and Kylie Bradford finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
• 24 of Alvernia's 44 points came from 3-point range on Saturday.

Up Next

• Alvernia returns home for the first time in a month on Wednesday as the Golden Wolves host McDaniel.