When a facilities issue at Washington College moved the site of the first Muhlenberg women's basketball game of 2018 to Memorial Hall, it gave senior Brandi Vallely a chance to achieve a major milestone at home. And she took full advantage.
Vallely recorded nine assists in the 15th-ranked Mules' 82-58 win to become the Centennial Conference all-time leader with 574 for her career. Vallely, who entered the game leading all active NCAA women's basketball players in career assist average, needed only 71 games to break the record of 570 set by Angie Arnold of Johns Hopkins in 116 games from 1995 to 1998.
Vallely's nine assists, eight points and eight rebounds helped Muhlenberg (12-0, 7-0) keep its perfect record in its first game in 18 days. The Mules are one of six remaining undefeated teams in Division III.
Senior Rachel Plotke scored a game-high 20 points and made an impact on the all-time CC chart herself. With five three-pointers in only seven attempts, Plotke moved into the top 10 in league history with 190 for her career. She is in ninth place, just three away from eighth.
Appropriately, it was Plotke who gave Vallely her record-breaking assist. Needing five assists to tie the record and six to break, Vallely recorded five assists in the first quarter, which Muhlenberg ended on a 16-4 run to open up a 26-14 lead.
Just 12 seconds into the second quarter, Plotke drilled a three from the wing off an inbounds pass from Vallely. Of Vallely's record 574 assists, 151 have gone to Plotke - more than any other player.
Senior Chelsea Gary also scored in double figures with 12 points for the Mules, who led 50-25 and extended their margin to as many as 34 points in the fourth quarter.
Senior Christina Manning added eight points, while junior Sara Dilly, making her first start of the season, scored seven. Junior Amanda Morello scored her first six points of the season.
Muhlenberg is one win away from tying the school record for longest winning streak, set in 2002.
Katherine Moore led the Shorewomen (4-7, 2-4) with 15 points in 18 minutes off the bench.