Quakers face Ohio Wesleyan in home contest

For Immediate Release:
Jan. 31, 2006

RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College women’s basketball team battled Ohio Wesleyan University for most of the contest Wednesday before falling 90-78 on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

The North Coast Athletic Conference game was tied midway through the second half. “Our focus was about playing with confidence regardless of the situation,” Earlham coach Liana Coutts said. “We were able to do that, so I was pleased with our performance.”

The Quakers started well working to a 9-3 advantage with 17:09 left in the first half. The contest continued to be tight until Ohio Wesleyan put together a 10-0 run to take a 21-13 lead with 13:00 remaining. The Bishops eventually led 32-19 at the 7:26 mark of the opening period.

Earlham (4-16, 3-8) fought back and first-year Janee’ Covington (Indianapolis, IN/Arlington) nailed a 3-pointer to tie the contest at 43-43 with 1:11 remaining. Ohio Wesleyan scored the final basket of the half to lead 45-43 at intermission.

In the second half, the Bishops (11-9, 7-4) worked to a small lead before the Quakers bounced back to go in front 53-52 on a 3-pointer by sophomore Chelsea Caywood (Richmond, IN/Richmond) with 17:23 left.

Later, Caywood tied the game for the seventh and final time at 61-61 with a basket with 11:59 remaining in the contest. The Bishops scored the next eight points to take control for good.

Covington finished with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists. First-year Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) added 19 points, while Caywood tossed in 16 points. Sophomore Whitney McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) contributed 14 points and seven rebounds.

Earlham returns to action on Friday at Allegheny College. The NCAC game starts at 6 p.m. Box score.