SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore College women's basketball team dropped a tightly-contested conference battle against Muhlenberg College, 51-43, on Saturday afternoon.
Despite jumping out to an early first quarter lead, the Garnet were unable to hold off the surging Mules, who closed the final three quarters on a 36-22 run.
Alyssa Hayashi led the Garnet with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Norah Wingfield contributed seven points. The Garnet shot 29.6 percent as a team after starting off hot in the opening quarter.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Following a Muhlenberg bucket to open the game, Rebekah Gendler knocked down a three-pointer to put her team on the board. Katelyn Becker then scored two-straight baskets on a driving layup and a foul-line jumper. Moments later, Hayashi connected on a pair of free throws before adding a jumper for the team's 11th unanswered point.
- The Garnet closed the first quarter with a 13-5 advantage. The team shot 41.7 percent and held their opponent scoreless for over nine minutes, while scoring 13-straight points. Muhlenberg was held to 2-of-16 from the field to start the game.
- The Mules pulled within three points with a 5-0 run to open the second quarter. Swarthmore increased its lead to as many as seven points after a Hayashi jumper with 5:28 left. However, Muhlenberg gained ground to cut its deficit to five points at halftime, 23-18.
- In the opening minutes of the third quarter, Muhlenberg rallied its way to eight-straight points to take a 26-23 lead. The Garnet then willed their way past the Mules with an 8-0 swing. Wingfield contributed a three-pointer and a jumper during the stretch to help put her squad ahead by six points, 35-29.
- Muhlenberg narrowed the gap in the final minutes of the third stanza. The Mules scored five-straight to pull within a single point until the Garnet closed the quarter with three free throws, 38-34.
- Jasmine Branda knocked down a big-time three to increase Swarthmore's lead to seven points at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the Mules responded with a 10-4 swing to pull within a point at the 5:34 mark.
- Following a timeout, the Mules scored four-straight points to put themselves in front by a triple. Muhlenberg then closed the game on a 9-0 run, while holding Swarthmore scoreless for the final six minutes.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Hayashi 10
Rebounds: Hayashi 8
Assists: Becker 3
Blocks: Wingfield 2
Steals: Richardson 2
UP NEXT
The Garnet (6-13, 2-8) begin a three-game road swing at Haverford College on Wednesday.
