COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - The Ursinus College women's basketball team put together a dominant defensive first half that allowed them to capture their first win of the season against Muhlenberg 54-45. The Bears defense held Muhlenberg to 18% (6-32) from the field in the first half jumping out to a 22-12 lead at halftime.  

In the first quarter, Alison Lisanti knocked down two three-pointers to give the Bears an 8-0 lead in the first two minutes. After a Mules layup from Sara Peretti, the Bears answered with layups from Chinwe Irondi and Lisanti to stretch the lead to 10. After the first quarter, the Bears led 12-6.  

The Bears defense would hold the Mules to only six points in the second quarter as Muhlenberg shot 3 of 14 from the field. Gabby Downs would knock down a three to increase the lead to 5 for Ursinus with under six minutes remaining. Lisanti would follow suit, hitting her third three-pointer to increase the Bears lead to eight.  

At the break, Lisanti lead Ursinus with 11 points (3-5 3PT) while Downs had 5 points, 4 rebounds and an assist for the Bears.  

The Mules would come alive in the third quarter, scoring five straight points to close their deficit to five with eight minutes remaining. With the Bears leading 25-21, Sarah DiLello found Downs from the right wing who would sink her second three-pointer of the contest. After a Lisanti three-pointer, DiLello would close out the quarter with a layup to give the Bears a 35-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter.  

After falling into foul trouble in the second quarter, Chinwe Irondi would explode for 11 points and 5 rebounds in the final stanza for the Bears. Lisanti added 5 of her team-high 19 points in the quarter as the Bears defeated Muhlenberg 54-45.  

Irondi finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Senior Gabby Downs collected 10 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Bears. Ursinus held Muhlenberg to only shoot 31% from the field and 10% from deep. 

The Bears will return to action on Thursday as they host Haverford at 7:30 PM.