RICHMOND -- Despite holding a head early and carrying it into the halftime break, the Earlham College women's basketball team fell 67-49 to Manchester University on Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers continue their losing skid at 0-6 (0-1 HCAC) while the Spartans improve to 5-1 (2-0 HCAC). 

Amari Bradford topped the scoresheet with a 16-point performance. The freshman also took five steals and recorded a block on the afternoon. Janaiya Bright also hit double-digits with 10 points and five assists. 

Alexis Gibson brought in a team-high nine boards and also put up nine points. 

As a team, the Quakers shot at a 47% clip in the first frame and it helped to leverage the home squad to a lead of as many as 10 points in the period. The Spartans scored a 4-point play in the final minute of the quarter with a steal returned for a layup. 

After the hot starter, Earlham struggled offensively in the second quarter, and managed just eight points in the period. Combined with a consistent showing from Manchester, the home side held a slim 4-point advantage heading into halftime. 

The Spartans tied the score at 24 just 30 seconds into the third quarter. Earlham posted a similar shooting percentage to the first quarter (46%) but allowed 25 points from Manchester in the frame. 

Leading by five points going into the fourth quarter, Manchester kept the pressure on and saw the Quakers struggle to score points again in the final quarter. 

Earlham will continue HCAC play in search of its first win of the season on Wednesday when Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology comes to Druley Performance Gym for a 7:30 pm contest.