Box Score

December 6 – In game that featured seven lead changes and seven ties, it was the Earlham College Quakers who were able to escape Philips Gym with a 68-64 win over the Oberlin College men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

The Yeomen got another solid scoring performance for senior Jordan Beard who paced the offensive attack with 19 points. Sophomore Ryan Magiera also tied a season-high with 12 points off the bench.

“This one is obviously very disappointing,” head coach Isaiah Cavaco said. “We just got to play more intelligently and learn how to finish teams off when we have the lead.”

Oberlin (2-5, 0-2 NCAC) appeared to be in control with a seven-point advantage, 52-45, with 6:42 left to play, but Earlham ripped off a quick 10-0 run over next 2:20 – going in front 55-52 and earning a lead it would not relinquish the remainder of the game.

Seven straight points by first-year Josh Merritt would tie the game on three separate occasions – first at 55 and again at 57 and 59. Following a three-point play by Tarrell Berry, Magiera responded with a jumper to get OC within 62-61.

Earlham built its lead to four, 65-61, at the free throw line, but Loll answered with a triple-hit with 14 seconds left in the game. However, Earlham hit three of four charity tosses in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Oberlin led by as many as nine in the first half, but the Quakers scored 14 of the frame's final 18 points to grab a 26-25 lead at the break.

The Yeomen out-shot Earlham 46.7-percent (28-of-60) to 36.1-percent (22-of-61) and also finished with a 40-33 edge on the glass. OC also dominated the painted area with 42 points compared to just 22 for the victors. The Oberlin bench bunch also out-scored its counterparts 22-5.

However, the main discrepancy in the game is that the Yeomen went to the line just four times – making all four, while Earlham made 20 trips to the stripe – cashing in 16 times. EC also hoisted 28 triple-tries- being successful on eight attempts (28.6 %), while Oberlin fired from long range just 10 times – converting on four of them.

OC will head north on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. tilt at Kalamazoo before closing out the 2008 calendar year with home battle against Alma on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.