Christian County controlled the inside, but Muhlenberg ruled the outside and the free throw line to hand the Lady Colonels a 52-41 loss Tuesday at Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium in the season opener for both teams.
Christian County shot 35-percent inside the arc but was just 10 of 22 at the free throw line and 1 of 22 on 3-pointers.
By contrast, Muhlenberg County knocked down a trio of 3-pointers and hit 14-of-22 at the free throw line, including 10-of-11 in the fourth quarter.
Muhlenberg built a 15-7 lead in the second quarter but Christian County’s aggressiveness on defense and the glass helped them get turnovers and second and third chances at the basket. As a result, they were able to stay within striking distance. They trailed 22-21 at halftime and 35-31 after three quarters,
The Lady Colonels got to within 35-34 with 5:10 left, but Muhlenberg held Christian County without a field goal for nearly three minutes. The Lady Mustangs went on a game-deciding 13-3 run spurred by a 3-point play by Sarah Cate Boggess with 4:45 left.
Down 44-37 with 2:16 left, Christian County missed on two big chances to cut into the deficit by missing the front end of a 1-and-1 and then two straight free throws on their next possession.
Brooklyn Stewart led Muhlenberg County with 24 points and nine rebounds. Boggess added 10 points.
Evanna McGregor led Christian County with 10 points. Anaysia Bagwell added nine points, and Sarah Harris had nine points and four rebounds. NeVaeh Day just missed a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds.
Christian County will play Owensboro Friday at the Independence Bank Tip-Off Classic hosted by Owensboro Catholic.
Muhlenberg County 15 8 13 17– 52
Christian County 9 12 10 10– 41
Muhlenberg County (1-0) – Stewart 24, Boggess 10, Proffitt 6, Fields 6, Cox 2, I. Wilkins 2, T. Wilkins 1
Christian County (0-1) – McGregor 10, Harris 9, Bagwell 9, Day 8, Daniel 5
