Behind career-best contributions from junior center Chelsea Gary, the Muhlenberg women's basketball team earned its first victory of the season and a bid to the Scotty Wood Tournament championship game with a 78-48 win against Immaculata.
 
The Mules (1-1) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as Gary recorded career-highs with 24 points and 16 rebounds to top all players. She notched the fourth double-double of her career in the first half, with 16 of her points and 10 of her rebounds coming in the first 20 minutes. Gary finished 10-for-15 from the field and made four free throws.
 
Junior guard Rachel Plotke also scored in double figures for Muhlenberg. She added 15 points while making three triples in the first period to help the Mules earn a 26-16 advantage.
 
The defense held the Mighty Macs (0-2) to no made field goals and only four made free throws in the second quarter as the home team extended its lead. Gary poured in seven of her team's 13 points in the second quarter on the way to a 39-20 halftime lead.
 
A jumper and two free throws from freshman guard Ashley Polera (pictured above) helped Muhlenberg stretch its lead to 60-34 after three periods before upping the lead to 30 at the end of regulation.
 
Muhlenberg blocked nine shots in the game, with Gary and Polera each denying three shots to lead the team. The Mules also recorded an even 19 steals and 19 assists while forcing 31 Mighty Mac turnovers. Eleven different Mules notched a steal or an assist.
 
In her second game as a Mule, Polera set highs with eight points and three rebounds, steals and assists to go with her three blocks.
 
Many other Muhlenberg freshmen achieved career firsts in the victory. Forward Maggie Kirchofer added nine rebounds off the bench. Guards Emily O'Mahoney and JulieAnne Martin each scored their first points (5) while also notching their first assist and steal. Martin also earned her first rebound.
 
Guards Rosie Martin and Maggie Chau and center Caroline Hogg made their Muhlenberg debuts as well. Martin and Chau each contributed two assists, with Martin adding two points and Chau recording two rebounds. Hogg scored four points to go with two rebounds and a block.
 
Forward Emilie Benton notched her first rebound along with two assists and a steal as well.
 
With the win, the Mules will go for their second straight Scotty Wood title, facing Widener Saturday at 6:00.