A furious fourth-quarter rally came up just short in the Misericordia University women's basketball team's 55-51 loss to Muhlenberg, Tuesday night in the Anderson Center.

Jocelyn Grosch scored a game-high 18 points and Ava Cirigliano had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Trailing 49-35 in the fourth quarter, Grosch and Cirigliano combined to score 14 points to get the Cougars within two points in the final minute of the game.

Grosch drained a three-pointer from the left wing to cut the margin to 49-37 with 8:23 to play and neither team scored over the next three minutes.

Grosch hit another three-pointer and converted a steal into a layup to get MU within 49-42 with 5:12 to play.

Cirigliano hit a baseline jumper and Grosch scored on a fast break to pull within 53-48 with 1:57 to go.

Cirigliano converted a three-point play with :47 to play, but the Mules answered with a bucket for a 55-51 lead with :29 for the final margin of victory.