The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Muhlenberg website Senior Ryan Foster drains a 3-pointer

Saturday, the Mules (11-8, 9-3) won in overtime on the road for the second time this season, the first time they have accomplished this feat since the 1950-51 season. Senior guard/forward Ryan Foster reached a personal milestone when he made his second three-pointer of the game, the 150th of his collegiate career. Only 23 other Centennial Conference basketball players have hit as many threes in the history of the conference. Asked about Foster's record, head coach Scott McClary praised his abilities as a player, "Foster has really been playing well for us. Everyone knows about his ability to shoot the threes, but he has really stepped up his defense and rebounding… He has also become a more vocal leader on the team."

The Mules have won two straight games, earning them a share of second place in the conference. The team started its modest win streak with a win last Wed. at home against Haverford (6-12, 4-8). In the game, the Mules nearly surrendered a 16-point lead to the visiting Fords, but prevailed. With four minutes left in the second half, the Mules saw their lead fall to three points.

However, senior forward Obi Nwizugbo blocked a Haverford player's layup attempt, and the Mules held the lead for the rest of the game. Foster led scorers with a game-high 17 points, and sophomore forward Spencer Liddic had his eighth double-double (best in the conference) with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

The end of Saturday's game was just as thrilling. The Mules' last meeting with McDaniel (8-10, 4-7) was hardly an exciting matchup - the Mules beat the Green Terror 67-40. Sat., the Mules dominated early, aided by Foster's five first-half field goals. After his milestone three-pointer, the Mules were up 27-11 (their largest lead of the game), with 5:27 left in the half. McDaniel answered with a 9-2 run, making the score at halftime 29-20.

The Green Terror came out of the half with a purpose, chipping away at the Mules' lead. McDaniel then went on another run of 15-5 to cut the Berg lead to a lone point. With 10:59 left in the game, the Green Terror took the lead at 46-45. Then, the McDaniel squad scored 10 straight points, but the Mules answered with a 13-3 run, taking a 58-55 lead with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game. A Green Terror jumper cut the Mules' lead to one with less than 30 seconds left in the game. On the ensuing possession, senior guard Brian Frankoski cut through the paint and laid it in, making the score 60-57. But, with 12 seconds left in the game, a McDaniel player, smothered by Muhlenberg defenders, hit a difficult three to tie the game at 60. The Mules hurried the ball up the court and took a shot with two seconds left. The shot missed, but they got the board and put up a final shot which also missed, sending the game into overtime.

Continued...

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