DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Earlham College women's basketball team fell on the road to Defiance College with a final score of 83-74.

The Quakers fell to 1-19 (1-12 HCAC) while the Yellow Jackets improved to 13-8 (9-6 HCAC).

Janaiya Bright scored a career-high 30 points while also bringing in a team-high seven rebounds. Alexis Gibson also had a big night scoring with 19 points. 

Earlham matched Defiance at 22 points in the first quarter. The Quakers trailed 22-16 in the final minute, but Gibson set up six points with a layup, steal and assist in the final sequence. 

Gibson began the second quarter with a 3-pointer to give Earlham its second lead of the contest. The Quakers once again recovered a deficit at the end of the half. Trailing 39-34 with 2:40 on the clock, EC scored a 7-3 run to trail 42-41 heading into the break. 

Earlham continued to keep pace with the home squad through the midway point of the third frame. With 3:18 remaining, the score was tied at 57 before a 10-2 run for Defiance led to the largest lead of the evening. 

Both teams struggled to find the net in the final quarter, with the Quakers shooting just 27% in the frame. EC held its own against a winning HCAC squad, but could not overcome the deficit from the end of the third quarter. 

Earlham will conclude its season with a home matchup against Transylvania on Friday. Tip-off will be at 7:30 in Druley Performance Gym.