RICHMOND, Ind. -- The Heidelberg University Women's Basketball team was on the short end of an entertaining 82-77 contest at Earlham. The Student Princes hit 12 3-pointers, but ran out of gas in the fourth. 

Heidelberg slipped to 0-2 on the season while Earlham improved to 3-1. 

Bolstered by strong perimeter shooting, the Student Princes took a 10-point lead in the first quarter. The run included 3-pointers from five different players -- Abby Tier, Chloe Gilbert, Jewel Persinger, Kami Whiteaker and Lillian White. Persinger's third of the quarter put HU up 22-12 with 1:07 left in the frame.  

Outscored 24-16 in the second, Heidelberg's lead had been trimmed to two at halftime. 

As the Quakers and The Berg battled for the lead in the third, HU went up 52-46 on a jumper in transition by Persinger -- created from an outstanding pass by Emily Valencia. The hosts battled back and regained the lead late in the period, but Valencia sank two from the line just before the end of the period. The foul shots gave HU a modest 58-57 lead through three. 

An 11-2 run in the middle of the fourth gave the Quakers a 72-64 lead with 5:17 to play.  Heidelberg closed to within three with 72 seconds left, but Earlham sank enough free throws to keep the Student Princes at bay.  

Four 'Berg players landed in double figures, led by Persinger's career-high 17-point performance. Morgan Altenburger and Gilbert had 11 while Whiteaker added a career-high 10.  

Heidelberg opens up their home slate with a Saturday game against Ohio Wesleyan. Tipoff with the Battling Bishops is scheduled for 2 p.m.