NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The No. 20 Calvin women's basketball team claimed an 81-57 conference victory at Saint Mary's Wednesday evening. The Knights improve to 14-4 overall and 9-1 in the MIAA, remaining a game behind league-leading Hope in the conference standings.

Senior Kally Verkaik (Holland/Holland Christian HS) dropped in 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting including 5-of-8 from three-point range. Junior Lauren Goldthorpe (St. Ignace/St. Ignace HS) had 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting including 2-for-2 from three-point range.

Sophomore Bre Luurtsema (Holland/Holland Christian HS) also tossed in 11 points while grabbing 10 rebounds to notch her fourth double-double of the season.

Calvin led 37-26 at halftime and then 55-46 at the end of the third quarter. The Knights then outscored the host Belles (1-18 overall, 1-9 MIAA) 26-11 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.

"We are very happy to get a road win in the MIAA tonight," said Calvin women's basketball coach John Ross. "Saint Mary's fought the entire game and we could not put them away despite having a 10-point lead most of the game. Saint Mary's is very well-coached and much better than its record indicates. It was also good to see Kally Verkaik have a big offensive game tonight. She is a very unselfish player who does a lot for our team and it was nice to see her have a big scoring night."

Calvin shot 46.2 percent overall in the win including 40 percent (12-of-30) from three-point range. The Knights held a 38-34 rebounding advantage.  Eleni Shea led Saint Mary's in defeat with 24 points and 10 rebounds.