ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Behind an impressive showing on both ends of the floor, the Ursinus women's basketball team soared past Muhlenberg College, 81-37, on Wednesday evening inside Memorial Hall.
 
 
With the victory, Ursinus improved to 8-5 overall and 2-1 in Centennial Conference play, while the Mules fell to 7-6 on the season and 2-1 in conference action. It marked the Bears' third straight victory over the Mules and the largest margin of victory in the series since a 116-84 defeat in February 2004.
 
 
The Bears matched their season bests in points scored (81), three-pointers made (11), and blocked shots (seven). Senior guard Ava Possenti led the way for Ursinus, recording a double-double with a career-high 24 points while matching her career best with 10 steals. Classmate Madison Smith tallied 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while junior Erin Glanz and sophomore Delaney McCaffery added eight points apiece.
 
 
On the Bears' opening possession, Possenti secured an offensive rebound before Glanz knocked down a three-pointer to give Ursinus an early lead. Possenti followed with her first basket to extend the advantage to five before Muhlenberg scored five of the next seven points to cut the margin to 7-5 at the 5:34 mark. Both defenses held the opposition scoreless for the next four minutes until a three-pointer by first-year Olivia Nardi increased the Bears' lead to 10-5. Ursinus closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to take a 17-7 advantage into the second quarter. The spurt was highlighted by a 5-0 run in the final eight seconds, as Smith converted a fast-break layup before Possenti intercepted a pass and drained a buzzer-beating three.
 
 
Muhlenberg opened the second stanza with a pair of free throws, but junior Emma Afflerbach connected on a jumper and Possenti followed with a triple to extend the Bears' lead to 22-9. Ursinus continued to control the momentum, using a 17-2 run to push its advantage to 39-11 with 2:30 remaining in the half. During the run, Possenti scored nine points while sophomore Ruth O'Keeffe added four straight points. Muhlenberg added a late free throw, but Ursinus carried a commanding 43-12 lead into halftime. The Bears' defense highlighted the quarter by holding the Mules without a field goal and forcing seven steals, including six from Possenti.
 
 
Ursinus opened the third quarter with an 8-1 run to extend its lead to 51-13 with 8:33 remaining. Possenti and McCaffery each knocked down threes, while Smith converted a fast-break layup. Muhlenberg responded with an 11-4 run over the next four minutes but still trailed 55-24 with 4:57 to play in the period. The Bears answered with an 11-7 run and carried a 66-31 advantage into the final quarter. McCaffery and Glanz opened the fourth with back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to 41 at the 9:14 mark. Smith later added a pair of triples as the Ursinus defense continued to force difficult scoring opportunities en route to the 81-37 victory.
 
 
Ursinus shot a season-high 46.2% (30-of-62) from the field and 45.8% (11-of-24) from three-point range, while converting 71.4% (10-of-14) from the free throw line. Muhlenberg was held to 21.4% (12-of-56) shooting from the floor, including 15.8% (3-of-19) from beyond the arc, while also shooting 71.4% (10-of-14) at the line. Avery McNulty led the Mules with a team-high 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
 
The Bears return to action Saturday, January 10th, when they travel to Chestertown, Maryland, for a Centennial Conference matchup against Washington College at 3 p.m.