RICHMOND, Ind. – The Earlham College men's basketball team downed Defiance College 81-70 in Druley Performance Gym for an HCAC victory on Wednesday evening. 

Joffrey Nunnally led the Quakers with 18 points and four steals. Kendell Cave led the team in rebounding with 12, and also scored 17 points. Ken Walker reached double digits for the 17th straight game with 12, while also dishing out five assists in 40 minutes of action. Casey Keesee had a season-high 12 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 mark from the line, and three assists. Connor Smith hit double digits for the third time this season with 11, and collected a season-high seven rebounds. 

As a team, the Quakers scored the second-most points in a game so far this season, shooting 47% on field goals and 44% from 3-point range. Earlham collected 13 offensive rebounds for 11 second-chance points, and scored 28 of its points from in the paint. 

The Quakers took a 5-2 lead in the opening two minutes, but the Yellow Jackets tied the score at five by the 16:12 mark. The score tied again at 7, 10, 14, and 26 before the Quakers were able to open a lead with a 13-2 run. 

Earlham continued into the second half with a 7-3 run to lead 43-34 with 18:06 remaining. Defiance then scored a 9-3 run, but the Quakers countered with four straight points. Leading 74-66 heading into the final minute of play, the Quakers nailed six free throws and got a stop on defense to seal the game. 

Earlham will be back in action on Saturday with a doubleheader against Mount St. Joseph. Tip-off for the men's contest is scheduled for 3 pm.