Earlham broke a 65-65 tie in the final minute of Wednesday night's North Coast Athletic Conference basketball game in Richmond by hitting seven out of eight free throw attempts to take a 72-70 victory over Wabash.
The Little Giants, who led much of the second half after taking a two-point halftime lead, tied the game on a layup by Aaron Brock. The Quakers began their final four trips to the free throw line with less than a minute remaining, hitting six straight before missing the front end of a two-shot foul with less than five seconds left in the game. A final three-pointer by Chase Haltom made the final difference two points.
Wabash led by as many as nine point in the opening period, led by 13 first half points by junior forward Andrew Zimmer. He led the Little Giants in scoring with 22 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field. Wabash would enjoy two five-point leads in the final period before the Quakers tied the game on a three-point basket by senior Markous Jewett with 5:17 left in the game. Jewett added a layup less than a minute later to give Earlham a two-point advantage.
The Quakers and Little Giants traded baskets over the next four minutes before Brock's basket with 1:08 remaining tied the score at 65-65. Brock finished with 13 points.
Jewett led Earlham with 24 points.
Wabash falls to 9-13 overall and 6-7 in the NCAC. The loss also snaps a three-game winning streak for the Little Giants.
Wabash returns to action Saturday afternoon in a 2 p.m. contest against fifth-ranked Wooster at Chadwick Court.