Muhlenberg basketball players Erin DeVaney and Chase Licata were named to the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Team of the Month for the first month of the 2000-04 season.

Both were honored at the first Lehigh Valley College Basketball Media Organization luncheon of the season, held at Starter’s Pub in Bethlehem. The Team of the Month consists of one player from each of the seven schools in the Organization.

DeVaney, a senior guard, averaged 8.5 points in the Mules’ first four games, despite playing less than 15 minutes per game in the team’s 18-player rotation. She has made seven steals and her six three-pointers rank second on a squad that has broken the school record for threes in a game three times this season.

DeVaney followed up a 10-point performance in Muhlenberg’s season opener with 11 points and four steals against Kean in championship game of the Scotty Wood Tournament. The Mules won the tournament, topping 100 points in each game, and DeVaney was named to the All-Tournament team.

“Erin’s a great three-point shooter and great off the drive,” said Head Coach Ron Rohn. “She’s one of the smartest players on the press.”

Licata, a junior forward and team captain, has scored in double figures in three of the Mules’ five games and averages 10.8 points per game. He is second on the team and 11th in the Centennial Conference in rebounding with 5.8 boards per game. Licata scored 15 points at Moravian and grabbed eight rebounds against Arcadia.

Licata has been at his best in the clutch, hitting two important last-minute buckets. The first was a leaning three to pull the Mules within a point against Moravian. The other was a driving bank shot that halted a Haverford rally to help the Mules win their CC opener.

“Night in and night out, we need Chase on the floor,” said Head Coach Dave Madeira, who uses Licata to guard the opponent’s top perimeter threat every game. “He has good lateral movement and really good strength.”