HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's basketball team (6-7, 0-1 CC) dropped its Centennial Conference opener on Saturday afternoon, falling 64-56 to Muhlenberg College (8-5, 1-0 CC) at the Calvin J. Gooding '84 Arena.
Despite shooting a higher percentage from the floor than their opponents, 43.8 percent to the Mules' 35.6 percent, the Fords were undone by a disparity at the free-throw line, some costly turnovers, and a 1-for-5 mark from deep in the first half.
Adam Strong-Jacobson anchored the Fords with a double-double, recording 16 points on efficient 6-of-7 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds. Raja Coleman tallied 10 points and three assists, while Gaven Marr notched 10 points with two makes from beyond the arc. Niko Rizos added a spark off the bench with four points, four rebounds, and a block.
For Muhlenberg, Arinze Achufusi matched the game-high with 16 points, fueled by a perfect 7-of-7 performance at the charity stripe. Drew Buck was a force for the Mules with 14 points, including three triples, while Nate Hoffman orchestrated the offense with nine points and five assists. Peter Stanton-Shepherd rounded out the Mules' leaders with nine points and five rebounds.
The contest began with promise for the hosts as Gaven Marr drained a three-pointer just seconds into the game with the Fords off and rolling. Haverford utilized a 7-0 run to build a 10-4 lead by the 14:18 mark of the first half, punctuated by a Marr layup in transition. The Mules responded with an 10-2 run of their own to seize momentum, eventually heading into the locker room with a 29-22 advantage.
The Fords clawed back early in the second half when Coleman converted a fast-break triple to cut the deficit to four just 12 seconds into the frame. The Mules extended their lead to as many as 14 points with 10:36 remaining, but the Fords refused to go quietly.
Strong-Jacobson dominated the interior during a late push, scoring eight points in the final six minutes. A hook shot by the sophomore forward with 2:06 left on the clock brought Haverford within four at 58-54. However, the Fords could get no closer as Muhlenberg iced the game at the line, where they finished 14-of-16 for the contests.
The hosts held the edge in several categories, including bench points (18-8) and fast-break points (13-5), but 16 turnovers from the Fords compared to just seven from the visitors, and Muhlenberg's eight made three-pointers each proved to be a difference maker for the Mules.
Haverford heads back out on the road as the Centennial Conference slate continues as the Fords will look to bounce back and earn their first conference win when they travel to Collegeville, Pennsylvania, to face Ursinus on Wednesday, January 14, at 6 p.m.
