GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin defeated Alma by a score of 66-48 at Van Noord Arena Wednesday night. The Knights now own a three-game conference win streak, improving to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play. 

The game started with Calvin getting two steals and two blocks in the early minutes of the first quarter. The Knights used the stops to go on an 8-2 run in first five minutes of the quarter. The run was capped by a jumper freshman freshman Leah Harris (Frisco, TX / Lone Star). Alma struggled to score in the first quarter and only had 10 points total. The Knights scored 20 points in the first quarter and had 6 assists.

Sophomore Gabby Timmer (Caledonia, MI / South Christian) started out the second quarter strong with six straight points and led the Knights on an 11 – 3 run as Calvin rolled out to a 31-13 lead. The Scots did not give up and responded with an 8-0 run to close within 10.

It was a closely contested match the rest of the half and Calvin was up 32-24 heading into halftime. Calvin shot 53% from the field and was 3 of 6 from the three-point line at halftime.  

Out of the break, Alma came out with energy and went on a 13-8 run to close to within seven at 42-35. The reminder of the third quarter was a defensive battle until sophomore Stephanie Coors (Evergreen, CO / Valor Christian) hit a three with a minute left to put Calvin up 47-35 heading into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, Timmer converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put Calvin up 56-41 with 6:30 left in the game. The Knights held the lead the rest of the game and came out with a conference win against Alma.

Timmer finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds while Coors finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Senior Kara Minderhoud (Grand Rapids, Mich./Covenant Christian HS) had seven points 10 rebounds and six assists. Harris also had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. The team shot 44% from the field and was 33% from the 3-point line. Calvin also had 20 assists and outrebound Alma 47-26.

COACHES COMMENT: "I thought our team vibe was really good tonight," said Calvin women's basketball head coach Mark Christner. "We had a great start knowing Alma would make a run, we stayed the course. It might have been our most consistent 40 minutes of the year. Our goal is to continue to grow as a team."

UP NEXT: Calvin will be at home against St. Mary's on Saturday with tipoff scheduled for 3 p.m.