King’s fourth double-double of the year not enough as Earlham tops Yellow Jackets, 80-63

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Zadria King posted her fourth double-double of the year (18 points, 10 rebounds), but it wasn't enough as the visiting Earlham College Quakers pulled away in the final quarter for a 17-point victory over the Yellow Jackets, 80-63.

The Quakers improve to 5-13 overall and 3-10 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with the win and the Yellow Jackets fall to 0-20 and 0-13 in the HCAC with the loss.

TURNING POINT

After the Yellow Jackets took their first lead of the game with 2:12 remaining in the first half, the Quakers responded with a 6-0 run to regain the lead and take back the momentum going into halftime. The Quakers rode that momentum the rest of the way and led by seven after three, and then outscored the Yellow Jackets 21-11 in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 21.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Earlham jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start as the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over on the first two possessions. All five points came off the turnovers. DC scored the next four points and then the two teams traded baskets during the next three minutes. Earlham led by eight, 18-10, with 1:19 remaining in the first quarter, but the Yellow Jackets closed on a 7-1 run to trail by two at the end of the first period, 19-17. Ali Mowen knocked down a three while both Taylor Bates and Aliza Clark converted layups during that stretch. 

Earlham continued to lead in the second quarter and led 33-25 with 5:02 left in the second half. The Yellow Jackets exploded for 10 straight points to take their first lead of the game, 35-33, with 2:12 left in the half. Karrie Smith scored all 10 points during the run. The Quakers, however, responded to regain momentum as they scored six points in the final 30 seconds of the half to take a 39-35 lead into the break. 

The Yellow Jackets were scoreless over the first 2:09 of the second half before a layup by Zadria King stopped the drought. It was an expanded drought of 4:21 going back to the first half. The Quakers led by as many as 11 in the third, but the Yellow Jackets closed to within seven to enter the fourth quarter trailing 59-52.

King started the final quarter with a free throw, but the Quakers scored the next six to regain their double digit lead. The Yellow Jackets were outscored 14-3 during the first 6:57 of the final quarter. The Yellow Jackets converted just 3-of-15 from the field and Earlham converted 6-of-13 attempts. The third field goal by the Yellow Jackets was a swished half court heave by Zadria King at the buzzer.

BRINGING THE STING

• Zadria King led the way with her fourth double-double of the year and led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

• Karrie Smith scored all 14 of her points in the first half and made a career high six field goals while tying a career high with four steals. 

• Kaiya Albert finished in double figures as well with 10.

• Ali Mowen led the team with seven assists, a new career best. 

• Katlin Barrett tied a career high with two assists.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets play a doubleheader this Saturday (Feb. 3) at Rose-Hulman. The women's game tips off at 1 p.m. with the men's game after.