For Immediate Release:
Feb. 7, 2007

RICHMOND, Ind. — The Earlham College women’s basketball squad continues to progress despite dropping a 58-55 decision Wednesday night to Wittenberg University on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

The Quakers have a victory and a pair of 3-point losses to two of the top teams in the North Coast Athletic Conference in the last week. “I’m proud of the way we’ve been playing the last few games,” Earlham Head Coach Liana Coutts said. “We’ve played some of the upper echelon teams of our conference and we’re very competitive. They’re not walking out of here thinking that was an easy win. With our youthfulness, our tenacity and confidence are growing and I’m really happy.”

Earlham led 9-2 at the 17:14 mark of the first half and maintained the advantage until late in the opening period. The Quakers rallied to tie the contest 30-30 by intermission on a basket by first-year Shontavia Davis (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central) with five seconds left.

The Quakers started the second half with another 9-2 run to lead 39-32 with 13:49 on the clock, but the Tigers responded to take the lead for good 44-43 with 7:36 remaining. The contest was tight the rest of the way and in the final moments, Davis missed a 3-point that would have tied the game.

Davis led Earlham with 20 points and three assists, while junior Whitney McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) added 11 points with seven rebounds.  

Sophomore Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) tossed in 10 points and junior Lisa Vanderkolk (Bluffton, IN/Bluffton) contributed four points, nine rebounds, three block and three assists.

Earlham (4-19, 3-11) plays at Kenyon College on Saturday. The NCAC game is at 1 p.m. Box Score.

—EC —

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