Box Score RICHMOND, Ind. — Dustin Rusk had a career-high 20 points on Saturday to lead the Earlham College men's basketball team to an 80-68 victory over Oberlin College on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

"Dustin has been playing well and we've been waiting for him to have a good offensive output," Earlham Head Coach Jeff Justus said of Rusk whose previous best scoring total was a dozen points last year against the University of the South.

Rusk, Dustin (Frankfort, IN, Clinton Prairie), who was 5-of-6 from the floor and 10-of-11 at the free-throw line, was also a factor on defense as he held Oberlin's top scorer to 12 points.

"He did a real good job on Andrew Fox, who was averaging 23 points a game," Justus said.

Quick Start

After Oberlin (1-2) scored the first basket of the game, the Quakers went on a 9-0 run to take command of their home opener. Rusk finished the rally with a basket and a free throw at the 15:38 mark.

The Yeomen closed the gap to 25-22 by 5:28, but from that point, Earlham was able to widen its advantage to lead 38-30 by intermission.

In the second period, the Quakers struggled offensively as Oberlin cut the deficit to 47-45 with 11:30 remaining in the non-conference affair.

Earlham responded with seven straight points to lead 54-45. The run was capped by a basket by Marty Broderick (Mooresville, IN, Mooresville) at the 9:27 mark.

"We were a little flat on offense coming out in the second half and that enabled them to get a run and tighten the game up," Justus said. "We hung in there and kept attacking."

The Quakers were able to maintain their distance by making free throws the rest of the way to earn their first win of the season.

"We didn't play on our heels against their pressure and we extended our lead," Justus said. "Once we started hitting our free throws down the stretch, that was pretty much it."

Josh Green (Campbellsburg, IN, West Washington) came off the bench to added 15 points for the Quakers, while Colton Bragg (Richmond, IN, Richmond) tossed in 13 points to go with five assists and three steals.

Broderick finished with nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds. His prior best effort was nine rebounds against Allegheny College last season.

Justin Barger (Ellettsville, IN, Edgewood) ended with nine points. Ryan Taylor (Martinsville, IN, Martinsville) and Marcus Bledsoe (Indianapolis, IN, Ritter) added five points each, while Bledsoe grabbed eight rebounds.

"It was great to finally get a win with this group," Justus said. "They've been working really hard."

"Our first game at Denison University was tough," Justus added. "Wabash College and DePauw University were very good teams, so getting a win heading into conference play is a big lift."

Earlham (1-3) entertains Manchester College on Wednesday. The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest begins at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score