Late free throws help Quakers post NCAC victory

Immediate Release:
Dec. 7, 2005

RICHMOND, Ind. — Four free throws in the final 20 seconds by sophomore Whitney McBurrows sealed a victory for the Earlham College women’s basketball team Wednesday night as the Quakers defeated Denison University 52-48 on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

Whitney McBurrows

The first pair of charity tosses gave the Quakers a 50-46 advantage with 20 seconds remaining the North Coast Athletic Conference contest. The Big Red scored with two seconds left to cut the margin in half, but McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) was fouled with one second left and sent to the free throw line for two more chances. She made both free throws to slam the door on the defending NCAC Tournament champions. “It felt good to come up the win because of the intensity that we had the entire night,” McBurrows said.

Earlham coach Liana Coutts was thrilled for the team. “I’m very happy for the players,” she said. “We’re trying to establish a team personality by being more focused and more intense.”

The Quakers (1-6, 1-0) made the most of their chances throughout the contest by limiting mistakes. “We needed more scoring opportunities and 12 turnovers is pretty good, especially with them doing a little pressing” Coutts said. “We did a nice job of controlling the momentum and Whitney did a nice job on the free throws.”

Denison (6-2, 0-1) started the game with a 5-0 lead and maintained a small advantage until the Quakers tied the game at 18-18 on a basket by first-year Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) with 3:57 left in the opening period. Merrill was fouled on the play and nailed the free throw to give the Quakers the lead at 19-18. The Quakers scored the last nine points of the period to lead 25-18 at intermission.

Both teams were scoreless during in the second half until sophomore Chelsea Caywood (Richmond, IN/Richmond) gave the Quakers a 27-18 lead at the 15:48 mark. The Big Red closed the gap to 32-30 with 13:40 left and eventually tied the contest at 46-46 at 1:41, but the Quakers out scored Denison 6-2 from that point to post the win.

First-year Janee’ Covington (Indianapolis, IN/Arlington) led the Quakers with 13 points off the bench, while Caywood and Merrill tossed in 12 each. Merrill led Earlham with eight rebounds and Caywood grabbed seven. McBurrows added eight points.

The Quakers return to action Saturday at Kenyon College. The NCAC game starts at 1 p.m.
Box score.