DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance shot 55 percent from the field en route to an 82-57 win over the Earlham College men's basketball team in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action on Wednesday.

The Yellow Jackets (7-7, 5-2 HCAC) opened the contest on a 16-2 run in the first six minutes. Trailing by as many as 22 points, the Quakers battled back to within nine (35-26) using a 15-4 run capped off by two free throws from senior Taylen Alexander.

Leading by 11 at halftime, Defiance opened the second session on an 11-2 run and led 50-30 with 17:47 to play. A three-pointer from junior Kamari Hunter got the Quakers to 59-46 with nine minutes left, but Earlham could get no closer.

Alexander and sophomore Elijah Wilson-Thomas led Earlham with 13 and 11 points respectively.

Blake Dunbar and Tyler Alexander combined for 35 points to lead Defiance offensively.

As a team, the Quakers shot 32 percent from the floor, and 25 percent from beyond the arc. The Yellow Jackets were 40 percent from distance. Defiance held a slight edge in rebounding, 39-33.

The Quakers return home on Saturday for a 3 p.m. contest against Mount St. Joseph.