ALLENTOWN, PA – The Rowan University women's basketball team lost to host Muhlenberg College, 92-72 in the first round of the Scotty Wood Tournament on Friday night.

Rowan will play Catholic University in the consolation game on Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m.  Muhlenberg meets Misericordia University in the championship at 6 p.m.  In the first round, Misericordia won 74-58 over Catholic. 

The Mules (1-0) had three players that scored in double figures.  Forwards Erin Laney (sr. Old Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) and Leanna Tallamy (jr. Wantage, NJ/High Point Reg.) each contributed with 18 points.  Tallamy also grabbed 14 rebounds off the bench.  Guard Nicole Pepe (jr. Valley Cottage, NY/Academy of the Holy Angels (NJ)) chipped in with 11 points. 

For the Profs (0-1), center Kate Matthews (so. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) totaled 21 points and 15 rebounds, which were game-highs.  Guard Valerie Garofalo (fr. Ventnor, NJ/Holy Spirit) produced 14 points.  Guards Bria Hill (jr. Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City), Kaitlin Schullstrom (so. Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) and Anyssa Sanchez (fr. Stratford, NJ/Sterling) each added eight points.

In the first half, Pepe had a layup at 16:21 for a six-point lead (14-8).  Muhlenberg was ahead 18-11 at 14:33 after guard Colleen Caldwell (sr. Lafayette Hill, PA/Springside School) had a basket.  Rowan pulled within one-point (18-17) after a layup and foul shot by Matthews (14:21) and a three-pointer by Garofalo.  Tallamy hit two free throws to lead by eight (32-24) with 7:38 left.  Hill's two foul shots at 7:16 cut the deficit to 32-28.  Pepe nailed a three at 6:38 for a nine-point advantage (37-28). 

With 3:23 on the clock, Muhlenberg was ahead 43-33.  Schullstrom's three-pointer at 2:24 made the score 43-37.  Laney had a layup at the 40 second mark and the Mules were up 50-39.  Rowan ended the period with a three by Hill (0:23) and two free throws by forward Allison Murphy (so. West Deptford, NJ/Gloucester Catholic).  The Profs were down 50-44 at the break.  Matthews and Garofalo had 12 points apiece in the first half.

At 15:57, Garofalo tied the score at 54 in the second stanza.  Matthews followed with a foul shot (14:19) and Sanchez had a basket and free throw (13:52) to lead 58-54.  Muhlenberg answered with six straight points to take back the lead, 60-58.  Hill's layup at 12:01 tied the score at 60.  The Mules had a 6-0 run for a 66-60 advantage at 10:36. 

Schullstrom had a layup and free throw at 10:08 and Rowan trailed by three (66-63).  Muhlenberg went on an 11-0 run to lead by 14 (77-63) with 6:59 left.  Laney scored seven points and Tallamy added four.  Forward Emily Lesher (jr. Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg) hit a jumper (4:09) and added a foul shot (3:42) for a 20-point lead (85-65).  Forward Michelle Poole (fr. Santa Cruz, CA/Brewster Academy) sank a three-pointer for the Mules and guard Alex Raring (fr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) had a jumper for the Profs to end the game.  Laney was the scoring leader in the final half with 13 points.