RICHMOND – The Earlham College women's basketball team concluded its 2021-22 season with a 69-49 loss to No. 2 Transylvania University on Friday evening. 

Prior to tip-off Leroy "Gene" Hambrick was honored for black history month. Hambrick was a four-year tennis and three-year basketball player for the Quakers from 1970-73. He played his first two tennis seasons undefeated and was the number one single for Earlham three of his four years. Gene also helped the Quakers to a 20-win season under Hall of Fame Coach Del Harris in 1973. In addition to his athletics involvement, Hambrick helped start the Cub Scout pack at the Townsend Community Center and was the corresponding secretary for the Black Leadership Action Coalition. Hambrick has served Earlham in a variety of capacities, he currently is the Director for Earlham's Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity. Hambrick has been a stalwart advocate for athletics and has mentored countless students toward success on and off the playing surface.

The Quakers fell to 1-20 (1-13 HCAC) while the Pioneers completed a perfect 21-0 season (13-0 HCAC). 

The freshman duo of Amari Bradford and Janaiya Bright led the Quakers with 13 and 11 points respectively. Bright also proved effective on the defensive side of the ball with seven rebounds and three steals. 

The Quakers stayed close with the No. 2 ranked team in the country for the first quarter. Neither team led by more than three points in the opening frame with an ending score of 18-16. 

Things unraveled in the second quarter for the home squad as the Pioneers outscored the Quakers 16-4 in the quarter and scored an 11-0 run in the final seven minutes. 

Transy began the third quarter right where they left off and went on a 13-0 run in the opening five minutes. The Quakers held their composure and responded with a 14-2 run to trail 49-34. 

Earlham played out the fourth quarter with a 30% shooting accuracy and made one-of-two 3-pointers.

Earlham concludes a tough first season under Head Coach Shanna Thompson. The young squad will return all players into next year and have a full offseason to prepare for another run at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference competition in the 2022-23 season.