The Muhlenberg men’s basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat Israel at Heart, 69-52, in a preseason exhibition game at Memorial Hall on Monday night.

Pregame ceremonies included a welcome read in both Hebrew and English, an exchange of gifts between members of the two teams and the singing of the Israeli and American national anthems.

A sizable gathering of Israel at Heart supporters had plenty to cheer

O’Brien finished with eight points and a team-leading six assists.

about in the first half. The touring squad shot 53.6 percent, including 8-of-13 from three-point range, to take a 38-26 lead into the locker room.

The Mules missed their first 13 field-goal attempts before freshman Michael Bernardini drilled a three-pointer. They were 1-for-19 from the floor at one point and trailed by as many as 17 points (30-13).

The second half was a different story, as the Israelis began to show the effects of a hectic schedule that had them playing for the fifth time in six nights in between sightseeing and spreading goodwill on college campuses.

Muhlenberg began heating up from the floor, making eight of its first 10 shots in the second half. The Mules tied the score at 40 on a basket by Jimmy O’Brien off an inbounds pass, then took their first lead on one of junior Chris Huber’s four three-pointers. The two hoops were part of a 15-0 run that gave Muhlenberg a 51-40 lead with 12:17 to play.

Huber led the Mules with 13 points, while junior Jeff Stewart added four blocks to his 10-point, 13-rebound double-double. Junior Tom Scott had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Bernardini and sophomore Greg Pask scored nine points apiece.

Following the game, the two squads shared pizza in the Life Sports Center Café and talked the universal language of basketball.

Click here for box score.