Quakers fall to strong shooting Purple Raiders

ALLIANCE (February 18, 2003) ­ The Wilmington College Quakers were defeated 84-71 by the hot-shooting Mount Union Purple Raiders. Mount Union shot 63.3% (19-of-30) in the first half and 55.4% in the game that had twice been rescheduled due to inclimate weather.

Mount Union (15-8, 10-6 OAC) scored the first four points of the game, and never trailed the rest of the way. The host Purple Raiders were able to take the lead to double digits six different times in the first half, but never led by more than 11 points in the period as the visiting Quakers went into the locker room trailing by eight at 44-36.

Wilmington (4-19, 2-14 OAC) scored first in the second half, cutting the deficit to six before the Purple Raiders scored the next six straight points. Six points is as close as the Quakers would come, as the team was defeated by 13, 84-71.

Deon Short (Cincinnati/Mt. Healthy) scored a season-high 15 points, leading four Quakers in double figure scoring. Adam Weber (Peebles/Peebles) and Greg Liggens (Toledo/Scott) each scored 14 points while David Guy (Webb City, MO/Webb City) chipped in 11. Short pulled down a team-high four rebounds while also dishing out a team-leading five assists.

The Purple Raiders were led by Brad Gerard who scored 18 points, including shooting 5-of-8 from three point range. Rob Paulauskas scored 16 as Chris Blakely added 13 on perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field.

The Quakers get a day break before hosting defending National Champion Otterbein College on Thursday with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.