OLIVET, Mich. - A pair of free throws with six-tenths of a second remaining in overtime by sophomore Bre Luurtsema (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) lifted the nationally-ranked Calvin women's basketball team to a 79-77 overtime victory at Olivet Saturday afternoon.

Calvin (10-3 overall, 5-0 MIAA) struggled at the free throw line on Saturday but came up with a pair of charity tosses when it needed them most as Luurtsema was fouled at mid-court on a rush up the floor and calmly swished two free throws to win the game.

Calvin was just 16 of 32 at the free throw line on Saturday and had to come from behind to gain the win as the Knights trailed 12-3 in the first quarter and later trailed 58-47 with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before mounting a furious comeback bid.

Calvin used a 12-2 scoring run to close to within 60-59 with 2:23 left in regulation. Olivet took a 63-59 lead moments later but driving layups by seniors Abby Springer (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills HS) and Kally Verkaik (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) tied the game with under a minute to play.

The Knights had a pair of free throws to take the lead with 16 seconds left but missed both.  After a timeout, Olivet pushed the ball up the floor but missed a shot near the basket in the closing seconds, sending the contest into overtime.

The two teams traded scoring bursts in overtime as Calvin took a 67-63 lead with Olivet answering back with four quick points to tie the score. A three-point play by Verkaik put the Knights up 70-67 but Olivet's Dallas Austin connected on a triple to tie the score at 70.

Verkaik connnected a pair of free throws with 1:48 remaining and then nailed a triple to put Calvin up 75-70 with just over a minute remaining.

Calvin allowed Olivet to climb back into the game however by connecting on just 2 of 6 attempts from the free throw line while the Comets came up with a free throw and three layups including a bucket by Bre Kid that tied the score 77-77 with 2.7 seconds remaining.

Calvin quickly pushed the ball up the floor and Luurtsema was bumped at mid-court with just six-tenths of a second remaining. Luurtsema calmly stepped up and connected on both free throw tries to give the Knights a 79-77 lead. Olivet was unable to get off a subsequent shot before the final horn sounded.

"Our games at Olivet over the past few years have been real barn-burners and today was no different," said Calvin women's basketball coach John Ross.  "Olivet played a great game but I give our team credit for fighting back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. We refused to quit and that was huge."

Luurtsema's final free throw tosses were no different said Ross. "Luurtsema picked up the rest of the team with those free throws," said Ross. "They were clutch shots with the pressure on the line."

With the win, Calvin improved to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the MIAA. The Knights are now tied for first place with rival Hope in the MIAA standings.

Olivet dips to 7-7 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.

Verkaik scored a career-high 21 points in the win to go with four rebounds. Luurtsema scored 11 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, notching her second double-double of her career in the process. Junior Anna Timmer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian HS) had 19 points and six rebounds while Springer and sophomore Ali Spayde (Lewis Center, Oh./Worthington Christian HS) had 11 points apiece.

Katie McKinnon led Olivet with 26 points while Kidd had 14 points and Shauni Hankins 11 points.

Calvin returns to action next Wednesday when it hosts Adrian at 7:30 p.m.