RICHMOND, Ind. – The Earlham College women's basketball team held Hanover College to 24 second-half points as the Quakers defeated the Panthers 85-73 on Senior Day at Schuckman Court.
After a high-scoring first quarter in which both teams shot 64.7 percent (11-17), Hanover held Earlham to just 14 points in the second ten minutes while scoring 21 to take a 49-40 lead into the locker room.
Determined to send of their seniors with a victory, the Quakers opened the third quarter on a 7-1 run capped off by a three-pointer from junior Hannah Franklin.
The Panthers would go back up by six when Claire Cromer hit a triple on the next possession, but Earlham continued to peck away. Freshman Rachel Wilkins connected on a triple with 14 seconds to play in the third quarter, putting the Quakers up 59-58. Maci Maupin hit a layup at the buzzer to put Hanover back on top by the slimmest of margins.
Both teams exchanged baskets to begin the final ten minutes. Earlham then clamped down defensively, holding the Panthers scoreless for nearly six minutes. During that time, the Quakers tallied a dozen points and led 73-62 with 3:35 to play.
Hanover would get within five points (78-73) with 90 seconds to play, but Earlham converted 7-8 free throws to seal its first win over Hanover since Dec. 20 of 2005.
Franklin led the way for Earlham with 21 points and five assists. Seniors Kasin Spay (15) and Kiara Scott (10) both scored in double figures in their final game at Schuckman Court. Junior Maya Luney added 10 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes off of the bench.
Allison Nash led the Panthers with 24 points in defeat.
Earlham shot 59.3 percent (32-54) for the game including 5-7 from three-point range and 16-20 from the free throw line. Hanover, which was led to just 25.8 percent shooting in the second half, finished 26-67 from the field for 38.8 percent.
The Quakers won the rebounding battle 41-26.
Earlham hits the road for the final two contests of the 2016 season, at Bluffton on Wednesday and at Mount St. Joseph on Saturday.