Junior Ashley Polera scored a career-high 18 points to lead the undefeated Muhlenberg women's basketball team to a 59-50 road win at Haverford in a matchup of two Centennial Conference contenders. 

The Mules and Fords have combined for four CC championships in the last five years. Last year, Haverford ended Muhlenberg's season with a 60-47 win in the CC semifinals.

Appropriately for two teams that entered the game in the top 10 in Division III in scoring defense (Muhlenberg second at 39.7 and Haverford ninth at 44.9), points were hard to come by early on. The Mules (7-0, 4-0) ended the first quarter on an 8-0 run, scoring six in the final minute on a three-pointer by sophomore Ny Thomas and a three-point play by Polera, to take a 12-8 lead.

It was still 12-8 before a steal and layup by Thomas midway through the second quarter. Muhlenberg went into the break ahead 22-15, having forced 13 turnovers and allowed only six field goals.

The second half featured more scoring, but every time the Fords (6-2, 3-2) cut into the lead, the Mules had an answer. Haverford made a three to start the half, but senior Sara Dilly responded with a three of her own at the other end.

Polera's three to open the fourth quarter gave Muhlenberg its biggest lead at 47-33. Haverford got as close as seven, 53-46 with 2:29 remaining, before Thomas responded with a three to put the game out of reach.

Polera (pictured above) shot 3-of-4 from three-point range and added 7 assists to her 18 points.  Thomas finished with 11 points, while Dilly and junior Emilie Benton made a pair of three-pointers apiece. Junior Madison Kirchofer pulled down 8 rebounds.