ALLIANCE, Ohio—The Mount Union women's basketball team used a 41-25 second half performance to defeat Muskingum 76-62 in an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup Wednesday evening.
 
The Purple Raiders (5-2, 2-0 OAC) were led on offense by freshman Elizabeth Mason (Alliance / Marlington) with 19 points while sophomore McKayla Dunkle (Cadiz / Harrison Central) tied her career-high with 11 rebounds while junior Ali hudik (Mentor / Lake Catholic) scored a season-high 18 points.
 
Muskingum (3-4, 0-2 OAC) was led by Caitlyn DeMassimo with 17 points while Claudia Harrington finished with three blocks.
 
FIRST QUARTER
The Raiders came out strong getting the first points on the board with a three-pointer from Mason. Muskingum were able to bounce back and take the lead going on a 6-1 scoring run and taking the lead 8-5. Muskingum kept their lead, but Mount Union was able to close the gap a little bit with a three pointer from sophomore Addison Mucci (Canton St. / Thomas Aquinas). Both teams battled it out in the first quarter, but Muskingum was able to keep their lead off a three pointer of their own going into the second quarter leading 24-20.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Mount Union was able to get the first basket in this quarter as well, with a three pointer from freshman Reese Triplett (New Philadelphia / Tuskey Valley Central Catholic). This was quickly followed by a three pointer from junior Dae Dae Nash (Akron / Buchtel) allowing Mount to take the lead 26-24. Muskingum was quick to answer going on a 10-2 scoring run of their own to regain the lead 34-31. The Raiders battled back, but it wasn't enough Muskingum kept the lead going into halftime 37-35.
 
THIRD QUARTER
Muskingum was able to carry over their momentum they gained in the first half by getting the first bucket in this quarter, but the Purple Raiders were quick to answer with a jumper from Hudik. Eventually, the Purple Raiders were able to take the lead 45-44 off a shot from freshman Brooklyn Mosher (Marion River / Valley). The Purple Raiders were able to finish the quarter strong on a 10-3 scoring run, with three pointers from Sweeney and Triplett, and were able to end in the lead 55-51.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
The Raiders were able to keep the energy from the previous quarter getting the first basket in the quarter by Mosher. The Raiders were able to get some more points on the board when Mucci found Hudik who was able to sink the three pointers. The Raiders then able to extend their lead on a 17-7 scoring run to secure the win 76-62.
 
The Raiders are home again taking on Ohio Northern in an OAC matchup on Saturday with a 2 PM tip off.