ADRIAN, Mich. — The Earlham College women's basketball team ended 2009 on the road with a 71-64 loss at Adrian College on Thursday afternoon.

Nikki Darrett led Earlham in scoring with 22 points, while Starr Gary finished with 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Michelle Miranda contributed 10 points. Jessica Wooden pulled down eight rebounds and Darrett grabbed five rebounds and had four steals.

The contest was close early with the third tie coming at the 12:40 mark of the opening period when Gary hit a pair of free throws.

From that point, Adrian (4-5) went on a 13-1 run to lead 21-9 with 8:21 remaining. The Bulldogs widened the advantage to 27-13 with 4:19 to go before the Quakers rallied to close the gap to 27-21 by intermission.

In the second half, the Quakers continued to gain momentum and eventually tied the contest at 35-35 on a basket by Gary with 16:26 remaining. Darrett then gave the Quakers their only lead of the contest at 37-35 with a pair of free throws at 15:16.

After Darrett scored to make it 45-45 with 10:44 left in the contest, Adrian was able to get back on top to stay a few moments later and hold off the Quakers.

Earlham (1-9) returns to action on Tuesday against Kenyon College. The North Coast Athletic Conference affair on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

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