(Allentown, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team put up another strong challenge, facing #11-ranked Muhlenberg College in the Centennial Conference semifinals on Friday night. The Red Devils battled throughout, holding a 33-32 lead at halftime. The Mules came out strong in the third quarter and held on for the win, 64-56.

Muhlenberg took an early 6-2 lead but the Red Devils quickly countered. Senior Sam Kennedy (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) knocked down a three-pointer to pull the Devils within one, at 8-7.

Kennedy would later put the Devils in front with a three-pointer from the wing. The Mules answered on the other end and Helen Roberts (Oakton, Va./Oakton) came back with another triple for the Red Devils.

Muhlenberg went inside, tying the game 15-15, with just under two minutes to play in the first quarter. A pair of Kassidy Lesher (Shoemakersvile, Pa./Hamburg) gave Dickinson a two-point advantage with a pair of free throws and Roberts buried another three-pointer for a 20-15 advantage.

Mackenzie Skerritt (Hightstown, N.J./The Peddie School) added a free throw to extend the lead to six. Mary Martin (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) made a great fake and scored to end the quarter with the Devils on top, 23-17.

The Mules scored and added a pair of free throws to start the second period, cutting the deficit to a field-goal. Skerritt banged a three-pointer to put the lead at five. The Devils held on defense twice before Brandi Vallely broke free for a lay-up.

Rachel Plotke hit a pair of foul shots to cut the lead to one. Martin hit a jumper in the paint and Skerritt drained another three-pointer to give Dickinson a 31-25 advantage at the three minute mark.

Plotke hit a three to cut it back to three, triggering a 6-0 run to put the Mules up, 32-31. A beautiful catch and dish from Mairead Donahue (Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph) to Lesher put the Red Devils on top at the break, 33-32.

Maggie Zerbe made a nice move to score to start the second half. She picked up her third foul on the other end with Lesher tying the game with a free throw.

The Mules scored on back-to-back possessions and Christina Santone converted a pair of free throws to put the hosts in front, 40-34, with just under eight minutes to play in the third. Kennedy stopped the run with a three-pointer from the corner.

Skerrit cut the deficit to one with a steal, going coast-to-coast. The Mules worked the ball inside and led 44-40, at the midpoint of the half. Kennedy came away with a great steal and was fouled in the process. The Devils were unable to capitalize but forced a turnover to regain possession.

Roberts cut the deficit to 46-43, hitting a three-pointer from the left wing. Vallely drove to the basket and was fouled. She hit the free throw to put the Mules up, 50-43, in the final minute of the third. Vallely tried to repeat the performance, but was charged with an offensive foul to end the quarter.

Junior Jennifer Smith (Short Hill, N.J./Millburn) made a strong move to score to start the final period. Roberts hit a mid-range jumper after a steal to pull the Devils back within 3three, 50-47.

Plotke hit a three-pointer and Vallely fed Zerbe on a fast-break to extend the lead to 55-47. Martin countered a pair of Mule free throws with one of her own and hit a jumper to cut the margin to 57-50.

Vallely drove the basket for two and Skerritt banged a three-pointer. The Mules built the lead to 64-53 as the Devils looked to rally. Roberts hit a late three-pointer for the final of 64-56.

The Mules had four players reach double-figures, led by Vallely with 24 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists. Santone finished with a double-double, scoring 16 points and controlling 10 rebounds.

Roberts finished with four three-pointers to lead the Devils with 16 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Skerritt knocked down three triples, scoring 12 points and adding a pair of steals. Martin reached double-figures, scoring 10 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Kennedy added a trio of three-pointers as well, finishing with nine points and two assists. Lesher finished with another strong performance on the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds and scoring seven points.

The Red Devils finish the season 16-10 overall, earning the #4-seed on the conference tournament. Muhlenberg advances to face the winner of the second semifinal between Gettysburg and McDaniel.