Box Score By Gina de Haan
On Saturday afternoon, the Calvin women's basketball team hosted the Muskies of Lakeland College at Van Noord Arena. This nonconference matchup served as the season opener for both teams. The Knights, ranked 17th by the Women's Basketball DIII Newsletter's Top 25 poll, defeated the visiting Muskies 61-48.
Despite trailing for most of the first half, the Knights showed resilience and battled back, controlling the second half of the contest.
The Knights' high-pressuring trapping defense was effective in disrupting the Muskies' offense. Calvin forced 16 turnovers in the first half and 14 in the second half.
It was Lakeland who held the lead for the majority of the first half. The visitors took the early lead, up on the Knights 7-3 five minutes into the game.
The Knights found their energy after sophomore guard Anna Timmer (Caledonia/South Christian HS) drove the lane and finished at the basket. Shortly after, Knights' senior forward Breanna Verkaik (Holland/Holland Christian HS) scored off of a 2-on-1 break, making the score to 9-7. However, Lakeland answered, scoring a quick 6 points, buckets courtesy of Rachel Stakevich, Kayla Clark, and Maddy Doll. The scoreboard read 19-15 in Lakeland's favor.
Calvin chipped away at the Muskie's lead. A made free throw by freshmen guard Bre Luurtsema tied the game 22-22. The teams went back-and-forth in scoring, Calvin taking the a 26-26 lead after Breanna Verkaik scored in the paint off of pass from Luurtsema. However, it was Lakeland who possessed a 30-28 over the Knights heading into the locker room at the break.
Although Calvin's press was giving the visitors trouble, the Knights struggled offensively with getting their shots to fall. The home team was only 10 for 38 from the floor in the first half, shooting 26.3%; the Knights capitalized on none of their 11 3-point attempts.
The Knights came out of the locker room showing more energy. The Verkaik sisters came out strong, working together to put their team ahead. An early three-pointer and layup by Breanna made the score 33-32 in the Knights' favor. On Calvin's next offensive push, junior guard (and younger sister to Breanna) Kally Verkaik (Holland/Holland Christian HS) snagged an offensive rebound and was fouled on her way back up; she sunk both her free throws to improve the Knights' lead to 35-32. Kally Verkaik pulled down another board on defense, giving the ball to her sister who finished on a fast break, putting Calvin up by 5.
Abby Springer (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills HS) hit the Knights' second three of the game with just under nine minutes to go in the contest, giving the Knights a seven point lead, their biggest of the contest. Immediately following, Kally Verkaik worked to get a steal and scored on a fastbreak, Calvin now leading 46-37.
With five minutes remaining, Kally Verkaik sunk a three-pointer bringing the score to 51-43. Lakeland guard C.J. Usadel answered with her own three, but the Knights weren't willing to give the Muskies an opportunity for a comeback. Hannah Acre scored in the paint and Kayla Englehard (Unionville/Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) drove and made her layup. When Lakeland head coach Lindsey Vande Hoef called timeout, Calvin was ahead 55-46.
After the stoppage of play, the Knights went on a six-point run, giving them a comfortable 15 point lead with the end of the game drawing near – Acre (DeWitt/DeWitt HS) had two buckets and Breanna Verkaik added another. The Muskies ran out of time to recover from the deficit and it was Calvin who was ahead at the buzzer.
Breanna Verkaik led the way for the Knights, contributing 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 5 steals. Hannah Acre was second in scoring, racking up 16 points.
Anna Timmer and Kally Verkaik both had solid all-around games. Timmer finished with eight points and nine boards while Verkaik added seven points and dished out five assists. Abby Springer led the team with 7 steals.
Lakeland was led by C.J. Usadel who recorded nine points and eight rebounds. Rachel Stankevich added eight points while Trista Barron and Bailey Grayvold each had seven.
On Friday, November 21, the 1-0 Knights will travel to Hiram College (Ohio) to take on the Gators of Allegheny College. Tip-off will be at 6:00 p.m.
