For Immediate Release:
Jan. 20, 2007

RICHMOND, Ind. — Execution was the key for the Earlham College women’s basketball squad Saturday as the Quakers defeated North Coast Athletic Conference foe Oberlin College 72-57 on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

After Oberlin tied the game at 2-2, sophomore Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) scored to make it 4-2 with 17:07 left in the first half and the Quakers never trailed again as they built a 32-20 lead by intermission. “We had a game plan and we were able to execute it,” Earlham Head Coach Liana Coutts said. “We did some good things and we were focused defensively.”

The Yeowomen (5-10, 1-7) have three of the top scorers in the NCAC with senior Jessie Oram and sophomore Alyssa Clark finishing with 13 points each. “They have three really strong players and we were able to keep them under control,” Coutts said.

Junior Roneisha Kinney ended the afternoon with just six points for Oberlin.

Merrill and first-year Shontavia Davis (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central) led the Quakers with 21 points each, which were career-high totals. “Offensively, we had some people open it up,” Coutts said. “For us to have three people in double figures was good. We were aggressive and we got to the free throw line more. The game is prettier when you put the ball in the hole, but you still have to play at both ends of the court.”

Merrill matched her best scoring effort from last season when she had 21 at Hiram. On Saturday, Davis also had a career-high seven assists.

First-year Starr Gary (Indianapolis, IN/Northwest) added 14 points, while junior Lisa Vanderkolk (Bluffton, IN/ Bluffton) grabbed 13 rebounds.

Earlham (3-14, 2-6) entertains Denison University on Wednesday. The NCAC game starts at 7:30 p.m. Box Score.

—EC —

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