CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Visiting Muhlenberg College handed host Washington College its first loss of the season this afternoon, recording a 59-44 Centennial Conference women's basketball victory inside Cain Athletic Center.  The Mules improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play with the win, while the Shorewomen fell to 4-1 and 2-1 with the loss. 

The score was knotted at 13-13 midway through the first half before the Mules went on a 12-2 run to build a 25-15 cushion on a three-pointer by Alita Zabrecky with 3:47 remaining in the period. Muhlenberg held a 28-19 advantage at the intermission, holding the Shorewomen to 7-for-27 shooting from the field and forcing 10 Washington turnovers while committing only two. 

The Mules led by as many as 17 points in the second half and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the period. 

Zabrecky finished the game with game highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Muhlenberg. Leaann Lanza added 14 points and six boards for Muhlenberg, while Kate Clawson contributed 13 points. 

Freshman guard Ashley Espinosa (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) paced the Shorewomen with 10 points in the loss. Freshman guard Dee Maddox (Virginia Beach, VA/Norfolk Collegiate) added eight points and five assists, while junior forward Latisha Pledger (Chesapeake, VA/Indian River) had a team-high 12 rebounds. 

Muhlenberg shot 33.3% from the field in the game, but was 5-for-10 from three-point range.  Washington was 26.7% from the field and 1-for-13 from long range.  The Shorewomen held a 49-45 advantage in rebounds, but committed eight more turnovers than the Mules (18 to 10).

The Shorewomen return to action Tuesday with a 7:30 p.m. Centennial Conference home game against Ursinus.