Fearing that she may freeze up, the Muhlenberg women’s basketball coaches wanted to keep it a secret from senior Meghan Courtney that she was only 19 points away from scoring the 1,000th of her career. To the

Courtney scored 11 of the team’s 17 points in the final 5:37.

coaches’ dismay, Courtney’s mother spilled the beans and alerted her daughter of the looming milestone.

Fortunately for the Mules, Courtney kept her composure and led her team in a game with an ending that even Shakespeare couldn’t have written better.

Courtney scored the 1,000th point of her career on a three-pointer to give Muhlenberg the lead for good in a 90-81 come-from-behind victory over Alvernia. The win is the team’s fifth in a row.

“I wasn’t really thinking about the points,” Courtney said. “We have been in a lot of close games this season, and I just wanted to help the team win another one. I am really proud of how we played today.”

After going into halftime up by four, 45-41, the Mules (18-3) allowed Alvernia to take a one-point lead with 16:25 remaining in the game. A jumper by sophomore Lauren Boyle regained the lead for the Mules on their next possession, but the advantage was short lived. Ten seconds later, a Crusader three put the Mules down two, 56-54.

The Crusaders (12-8) held the lead for most of the next five minutes, leading by as many as six, 66-60, with 11:15 to go. Muhlenberg then went on a 7-0 run over the next 1:45 to retake the lead, 67-66. An Alvernia free throw tied the game at 67-67 with 8:46 to go, and the next three minutes were highlighted by three more ties.

The seesaw battle finally ended with 5:37 remaining when Courtney emerged as the hero. She nailed a three pointer from the right corner to give the Mules the lead for good, 76-73, and make her the fifth woman in Muhlenberg history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.

“I credit all of those points to my teammates who gave me amazing passes,” Courtney said.

After Courtney made that shot, Muhlenberg head coach Ron Rohn called a timeout to recognize her accomplishment. The fans cheered, and Courtney's teammates showed their congratulations by chest bumping her. Once the

The Muhlenberg women’s basketball team shows its appreciation for Courtney, who shot 7-for-7 from the free throw line and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Before today, Courtney had made three threes all season.

celebration ended, the Mules used that energy to close out the game for the win.

“It usually comes down to who works harder and who wants it more down the stretch,” Courtney said, “and our team always has the fire.”

Courtney finished the game with 28 points, 13 rebounds, a career-high five assists, and a career-high-tying four blocks. Senior Emily Wright added 16 points and five boards for the Mules. With the victory today, the two seniors became the winningest class in Muhlenberg history with 73 wins.

The only thing that could have made this performance sweeter for Courtney was if it could have waited another three days and come at home.

“There has been so much support from the coaches, faculty and administration, so it would have been amazing,” Courtney said. “But my team really needed those points today, so I had no reservations scoring.”

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