(Allentown, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team was dominant in the middle quarters but host Muhlenberg had a strong start and a big fourth quarter to hold off the Red Devils, 73-63, on Thursday night.

The Mules gained the early advantage, jumping out to an 8-0 start and taking a 20-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lauren McBride (Trenton, N.J./Gill St. Bernard's) had a strong start, scoring six points to lead Dickinson.

Senior Jennifer Smith (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) hit a jumper and knocked down a three-pointer to pull the Red Devils within three to open the second quarter.

Muhlenberg answered with a three-point play on the other end to lead, 23-17, with six minutes remaining in the half.

Mackenzie Skerritt (Hightstown, N.J./The Peddie School) sank a triple from the left wing to cut the margin in half and Helen Roberts (Oakton, Va./Oakton) converted an and-one to tie the game, 23-23.

Roberts hit a free throw and finished an assist from Kassidy Lesher (Shoemakersville, Pa./Hamburg) on an offensive rebound to give the Devils their first lead of the night, 28-27, with just under two minutes to play.

They would hold the lead into the break, forcing a late turnover as Muhlenberg worked the clock for the final shot of the half.

A balanced attack saw six Red Devils put points on the board in the opening two periods. Lesher led the way with six points and seven rebounds.

 Roberts hit a quick jumper from the elbow to start the second half and Mary Martin (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) made a steal and scored to put Dickinson in front, 32-27. Dickinson had a strong third quarter, holding a nine-point lead after outscoring Muhlenberg, 22-14.

Martin stretched the margin to 11 on the opening possession of the fourth before Rachel Plotke answered with a three-pointer for the Mules. That triggered a run by Muhlenberg that put them back on top, 56-53.

Lesher cut the lead to one but Plotke would make the score 60-55 with back-to-back lay-ups. The Mules extend the margin with six straight free throws before Hannah Heiring (Wayzata, Minn./Wayzata) broke up the run with a nice move inside.

McBride and Skerritt each knocked down a three-pointer but Muhlenberg was able to keep the advantage, hitting 11-of-12 free throws down the stretch.

Lesher led the Red Devils with her second straight double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds on the night. She went 4-for-6 from the field and added a pair of blocked shots.

Roberts and Martin each finished with 11 points and three assists while Martin added three steals on the night. McBride tallied 11 points as well while Skerritt tallied nine points and five rebounds. Smith finished with six points, three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Plotke led Muhlenberg with 18 points while Brandi Vallely recorded 16 points and 12 assists. The Mules improve to 12-6 overall and 9-4 in the Centennial Conference.

The Red Devils move to 12-6 and 9-4 as well. They are on the road again on Saturday, traveling to conference front-runner, Haverford College for a 1:00 pm tip-off.