Box Score TERRE HAUTE, Ind. â€" The Earlham College women's basketball team picked up its second straight win on Wednesday night as the Quakers moved up one spot in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings.

With a 63-56 victory over the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Quakers (10-10, 6-7) climbed into a tie for sixth place with the Engineers (8-12, 6-7) to join the frey for the post-season tournament. The top six teams in the standings qualify for the tourney.

"This was a huge game for us as we enter the home stretch of conference play," Earlham Head Coach Melissa Johnson said. "Rose-Hulman was one spot ahead of us in the standings, so it was crucial for us to get this win."

Wednesday's victory was also the 10th of the year for Earlham, which marks the first time since the 2002-03 season that the Quakers have reached double digits in wins.

The Quakers began their quest for a victory early in the contest as they held a 7-2 lead after Bria Sneed scored at the 16:13 mark of the opening period.

Earlham was able to widen their margin when Kasin Spay scored to make it 18-10 with 6:06 on the clock.

By the intermission, the Quakers were on top 27-16.

"Our defensive intensity set the tone for us during the first half," Johnson said. "We were able to keep Rose-Hulman from getting into a good offensive rhythm."

In the second half, the Quakers remained in control as they built a 38-24 lead after Maya Luney scored with 12:32 left to play.

The Engineers finally got going and put together a seven-point run to close the gap to 38-31 at 10:04.

After Sneed hit a pair of free throws at 7:06, the Quakers were in front 48-37.

Rose-Hulman rallied to cut the deficit to 57-52 with 1:18 to go, but the Quakers answered from the free throw line.

Sneed made four in a row, while Raven Bryant-Williams finished the affair with two more tosses as the Quakers put the game away to earn a split of the season series with the Enginners. Rose-Hulman won earlier the contest 62-57 in Richmond on Jan. 8.

"We still have improvements we need to make when closing a game," Johnson said. "But I am extremely proud that once again our players gritted their teeth and found a way to win."

Sneed led the Quakers with 26 points to give her 1,133 in her career as she looks to reach fifth place on Earlham's all-time scoring list. Tasha Merrill (2005-09) has 1,201 points.

Hannah Franklin finished with 11 points, while Spay added 10 points and a team-high seven steals.

Luney and Bryant-Willams pulled down six rebounds each to lead the Quakers

Earlham returns to action on Saturday as the Quakers entertain Hanover College. The HCAC contest gets underway on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center at 2 p.m.

Box Score