KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo College women's basketball team defeated Earlham 76-69 this afternoon. The Hornets have won two games in a row and four of their last five games. The team now has a record of 6-4.
Kalamazoo and Earlham went score for score for the majority of the first half. At the 8:36 mark of the first half the Quakers took a 21-14 lead. After that an and-one layup by Grace Smith sparked a 13-0 run by the Hornets over the next four minutes. Kalamazoo finished the half on a 25-5 run and went into the locker room with a 39-26 lead.
Perri Nicholson was an absolute monster for Kalamazoo in the first half. She was 6/8 from the field, 2/2 from the line, and finished the half with 14 points and five rebounds. Querubin Dubois was all over the court in the first half, grabbing seven rebounds and two assists in only eight minutes.
At the beginning of the second half Kalamazoo began to pull away. Grace Smith hit a jumper two minutes into the second half that put the Hornets up 47-30. After that Kalamazoo slowly let the Quakers creep back into the game. Earlham went on a 39-18 run over the next 16 minutes and Kalamazoo found itself in a four point game with a little over a minute left to play. Earlham pressed the Hornets hard and forced them into a few turnovers but ultimately Kalamazoo was able to hold on and hit 6/8 of its free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Emily Lindsay, Perri Nicholson, and Grace Smith were gigantic for the Hornets offensively; scoring 20, 18, and 14. Nicholson also pulled down 8 rebounds and had five blocks. Kelsey Adamski and Querubin Dubois both put up really impressive and well-rounded stat lines. Adamski had seven points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Dubois had six points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Dubois put up her numbers in only 15 minutes of playing time. Hannah Maness continued her strong play of late with six points, four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Lindsay's 20 points tied her season high.
The most impressive stat of the day was that of Kalamazoo's 28 baskets, 22 came off assists. It was the second highest number of assists the team has had this season. Kalamazoo doubled up Earlham in the assist category, as the Quakers had 11.
The Hornets now begin an extended break and won't play again until Tuesday, Dec. 30 when they'll take on Oberlin at home.