The Earlham Cardinals basketball squad (Earlham, IA), was nudged 52-51 in Friday's league battle with the host Van Meter Bulldogs (Van Meter, IA)

With the victory, Van Meter advances its record to 3-3 on the year. The Bulldogs host Des Moines Christian (Des Moines, IA) to meet the Lions in a West Central battle on Friday, January 3. The Lions enter the battle with a record of 6-1. Des Moines Christian won 59-36 in their recent league battle against Pleasantville (Pleasantville, IA)

The Cardinals now own a 4-2 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Woodward-Granger for a West Central battle on Tuesday, January 7.