With defense again leading the way, the Muhlenberg women's basketball team won its sixth straight game to open the season, 61-37 at home against Washington College.

The Mules entered the game third in Division III in scoring defense, allowing only 40.2 points per game, and lowered their average to 39.7. They forced 24 turnovers, and their relentless pressure took its toll on the Shorewomen (4-2, 2-1), who shot just 20.0 percent from the field in the second half.

Senior Carley Hamilton scored a career-high 16 points in only 18 minutes, and sophomore Ny Thomas had her best game of the season with 14 points and 3 steals.

Muhlenberg (6-0, 3-0) trailed 4-2 early on before Thomas (pictured above) hit a three-pointer. On the next possession, she was fouled while attempting a three and made all her free throws to push the lead to 8-4.

It was 12-7 before the Mules went on a 9-0 run, capped by a Caroline Hogg layup off a nice pass from senior Eva Sodaitis, to extend their lead to 21-7 in the final minute of the first quarter.

The margin was still 14 (35-21) at halftime, but Muhlenberg turned the game into a runaway by holding Washington to one field goal over the first eight minutes of the second half. By that point the Mules had a 30-point lead, 53-23.

Junior Ashley Polera had 6 assists without a turnover and also blocked a shot. Junior Madison Kirchofer pulled down a game-high 8 rebounds.