Execution leads to Quakers conference win at Oberlin

For Immediate Release:
Jan. 21, 2006

LeShea Orr

OBERLIN, Ohio — There were nine players in the scoring column for the Earlham College women’s basketball team on Saturday as the Quakers posted an 87-55 victory over North Coast Athletic Conference foe Oberlin College.

First-year LeShea Orr (Dayton, OH/Jefferson) led the Quakers with 22 points and nine rebounds, while first-year Janee’ Covington (Indianapolis, IN/Arlington) added 18 points and five assists. “We had good execution and LeShea and Janee’ did a nice job,” Earlham coach Liana Coutts said. “It was a fabulous win with a great effort from the entire team.”

Earlham made 36-of-68 shots (52.9 percent) from the field while hitting 13-of-16 (81.3 percent) from the free throw line. The 32-point win was the largest margin of victory since the Quakers beat Wooster 68-37 on Jan. 11, 2003.

First-year Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) was the third Earlham player in double digits with 12 points. Sophomores Whitney McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) and Samantha Lurie (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) contributed eight points each. Sophomore Chelsea Caywood (Richmond, IN/Richmond) grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Quakers.

The Quakers led early 4-0 before Oberlin tied the game at 4-4. It would never be that close again as the Quakers scored the next nine points to lead 13-4 at the 15:02 mark of the first half. By intermission, Earlham was in front 41-25.

In the second half, Earlham’s margin grew as Covington scored 12 of her points after halftime. Orr also added 11 in the second half.

Earlham (4-13, 3-5) continues its stretch of road games on Wednesday with the third of four games away from home as the Quakers visit Denison University. The NCAC contest begins at 7:30 p.m. Box score.