RICHMOND – In its first contest of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule, the Earlham College women's basketball team fell just short in a comeback effort against Manchester with a 60-58 final score against the Spartans in Druley Performance Gym. 

Alexis Gibson led the Quakers in all facets with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. The sophomore recorded the second double-double of her career. Amari Bradford also reached double digits with 12 points and eight boards on the afternoon. 

After trailing 6-2, the Quakers scored a 9-11 run and led 13-8. Earlham shot 60% from 3-point range in the quarter, and was good on 42% of field goal attempts. 

With a 15-11 score at the end of the first, Earlham continued to a 19-13 lead three minutes into the second quarter. After a 7-2 run by the Spartans, EC led 21-20 midway through the quarter. The teams were tied at 27 heading into the final minute of the half, but a 3-pointer by the Spartans gave the visiting squad a 30-27 lead heading into the break. 

The Quakers could only muster a 27% field goal percentage in the third frame, and fell behind 46-37 late in the quarter. Trailing 54-45 after the fourth quarter media timeout, Earlham scored a 10-0 run to take a 55-54 lead with 2:25 remaining in the game. The Spartans scored on six free throws in the final minute, but the Quakers only found a score on a 3-pointer from Willow Runyon with three seconds remaining. 

The Quakers will be back in action on Saturday against Anderson in Druley Performance Gym. Tip-off is slated for 1 pm.