Mount Union women rally to advance

Staff report

ALLIANCE

Senior Amanda Rose and junior Rosa LaMattina fueled a furious second-half comeback on Saturday as No. 6 ranked Mount Union defeated No. 25 Muhlenberg (Pa.) 61-55 in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament.

The victory for Mount Union (28-1) extended the school-record to 22 straight overall, and was the Purple Raiders’ 25th consecutive at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

Mount Union trailed by as many as 15 points on three occasions in the first half, the largest deficit in any game this season. But the Purple Raiders closed the game on a 24-4 run over the final 12:29, exciting a raucous crowd, and advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.

“This was the greatest game I’ve ever witnessed at Mount Union. It was one to remember,” said Purple Raiders coach Suzy Venet, who played on a pair of Final Four teams at the school.

Those in attendance were credited by coach and players for fueling the comeback.

“Absolutely,” said LaMattina. “If we were playing this game on the road or at a neutral site we would have stayed down.”