By Gina de Haan

ALMA, Mich. - On Saturday afternoon, the Calvin women's basketball team traveled to Alma College to compete in its seventh conference matchup of the season.

The Knights entered the contest looking to maintain their undefeated conference record (11-3 overall, 6-0 MIAA), while the Scots (4-9, 0-6 MIAA) were hoping to earn their first MIAA win.

"I am very happy with the win today," said head coach John Ross. "We were able to get a road win against a very determined and scrappy team."

A strong fourth quarter by the Knights earned Calvin its fourth consecutive win, the final score, 67-49.

Calvin struck first, off a three-point bucket from senior Abby Springer (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills), but the lead changed hands a number of times during the remainder of the first quarter. A late three-point bucket by Alma's Chloe King gave the Scots a 16-14 advantage over the Knights. Sophomore Bre Luurtsema (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) hit a free throw to cut the host team's lead to one and the scoreboard read 16-15 in Alma's favor heading into the second quarter.

The Knights chipped away at the Scots' lead in the second quarter. Alma scored a quick two points, but a free throw by senior Kally Verkaik (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) and a layup from junior Anna Timmer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) tied the game at 18. Alma's Kassidi Adams scored a layup, but was quickly answered by a layup by Luurtsema and a steal and three point play by Springer. A steal by Luurtsema led to a bucket by junior Lauren Goldthorpe (St. Ignace, Mich./Lasalle), giving the Knights a 25-20 lead with 7:17 remaining in the first half.

With just under four minutes to play in the quarter, a triple by sophomore Ali Spayde (Lewis Center, Ohio/Worthington Christian) sparked a late first half run by the Knights. Timmer followed, sinking a jump shot to put the Knights up by nine. Alma's Adams hit one from behind the arc to bring the score to 33-27, but senior Tiffany Karger (Cedar Spring, Mich./Cedar Springs) responded, netting a three-pointer of her own. Karger's points would be the final of the half and the Knights headed into the locker room with a 36-27 lead.

In the first half, Calvin shot 31.7% (13-41) from the floor while Alma made 47.6% (10-21) of its field goals; the Knights made 6 of their 18 (33.3%) attempted three-point shots while the Scots were 4 for 6 (66.7%) from behind the arc.

However, the Knights outscored their opponents by 10 (21-11) in the second quarter and possessed a nine-point lead coming into the second half.

But the Scots wouldn't admit defeat just yet, scoring six consecutive points after an early bucket by Luurtsema to make the score 38-33. In the third quarter, Alma outscored its visitors 14-12, backed by a strong eight point offensive effort from Kelsey Wolffis who was 4-4 from the floor. The Knights still held on to a 48-41 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Calvin squashed any Alma momentum in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Scots 19-8. Starting at the midpoint of the quarter, Anna Timmer secured a Calvin victory by scoring seven consecutive points to give her team a sizeable lead (64-44) with

just 3:45 left to play. Kally Verkaik then chipped in a three-pointer to give the Knights a 23 point lead, their largest of the game.

The Knights were successful in protecting their unblemished conference record, as the Scots had no time to recover from the large deficit.

Timmer led the Knights in scoring with 14 points. Bre Luurtsema was also a key player for Calvin, recording a double double, with 10 points along with a team-high 12 boards. Abby Springer also finished with 10 points, plus four steals. Ali Spayde contributed nine points, Kally Verkaik eight and Lauren Goldthorpe seven.

Calvin outrebounded their hosts 44-36.

Next Wednesday, the Knights are on the road again for a conference tilt against undefeated Hope College (15-0, 7-0). This matchup will be the first of the season between Calvin and the Dutch and will be a battle for first place in the MIAA, as both teams come into the contest undefeated in the league.