For Immediate Release:
Jan. 6, 2007

HIRAM, Ohio — A tough stretch late in the first half hurt the Earlham College women’s basketball team on Saturday as the Quakers dropped a 76-64 decision to North Coast Athletic Conference foe Hiram College.

Earlham led 22-19 after sophomore Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) drilled a 3-pointer with 7:15 left in the opening period. From that point, the Terriers put together a 15-4 run to lead 34-26 at halftime.

Hiram (5-6, 1-2) increased its advantage to as much as 14 points in the second half as the Quakers could get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Merrill scored a season-high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior Casie Byrd (Bloomington, IN/North) and first-year Shontavia Davis (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central) added 11 points each.

Junior Lisa Vanderkolk (Bluffton, IN/Bluffton) led the Quakers with eight rebounds, while tossing in seven points. First-year Jayana Sims (Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis) also had seven points with a career-high six assists.
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Earlham (2-12, 1-4) visits Wittenberg University on Wednesday. The NCAC contest is at 7:30 p.m. Box Score.

—EC —

Contact:
Don Tincher, sports information director
765/983-1795 — E-Mail Don