RICHMOND – The Earlham College women's basketball team came up just short in a comeback effort against Anderson University on Saturday afternoon. The Quakers trailed 72-60 with just less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and came back to 72-70 at the two minute mark. 

Alexis Gibson recorded her second consecutive double-double with 19 points, 19 rebounds, and five assists. Gibson led the game in assists and rebounds on the afternoon. Fellow sophomore Amari Bradford topped the scoreboard with 20 points and five boards. Jay Bright tallied 17 points with five rebounds and three assists. 

The Quakers led by four points three times in the first quarter, and only trailed after a Raven 3-pointer brought the score to 5-4 in the opening minutes. 

After an Anderson 3-pointer to begin the second frame, Earlham scored a 9-0 run to take a 26-19 lead. The visitors responded with a 14-0 run, and led 33-26 at the 3:49 mark of the second quarter. After trailing 39-30 in the final 90 seconds, Earlham scored a 6-0 run heading into the halftime break to trail 39-36. 

Ballooned by a 44% 3-point accuracy, the Ravens extended their lead in the third frame, and held a nine-point advantage at the end of the period. 

Trailing 72-60 with 4:36 remaining in regulation, Earlham went on a 10-0 run to put itself back in contention with 1:58 left to play. The Quakers were shut out in the final two minutes of play, and fell behind on Raven free-throws down the stretch. 

Earlham will pause conference play for the holiday break and continue HCAC action on New Year's eve at Franklin College. During the break, the Quakers will compete in the Quaker Bowl at Wilmington College next Saturday.