RICHMOND, Ind. – The Earlham College women's basketball team recovered from an 18-point deficit in a 74-70 loss to Aurora University on Friday evening in the first game of the Melissa Johnson/HOPE Classic. 

Jay Bright led the team with 16 points, three assists and three steals. Bright also collected seven rebounds. Berkley Shelton collected a team-high eight boards with 10 points and one steal. Madison Short scored a career-high 12 points, shooting 2-for-2 on 3-pointers with three rebounds. Bailey Gibson reached double-digit points with 10, and brought in seven rebounds. 

Aurora hit a pair of free throws to go up 40-22 at the 3:25 mark in the second quarter for its largest lead of the game. Earlham responded with a 9-2 run to end the quarter and begin the effort to claw back into contention. 

In the final two minutes of the third quarter, Earlham scored a 7-0 run, and trailed the Spartans 53-51 at the end of the frame. Gibson tied the score at 57 with a layup with 7:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. Aurora then scored an 8-2 run. 

The Quakers continue play on Sunday against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm in Druley.