GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin women's basketball defeated Alma on Wednesday night in a first round MIAA Tournament game by a score of 70-50 to advance to the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament.

Calvin will travel to rival Hope Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in a semifinal game at DeVos Fieldhouse. Albion will face Trine in the opening semifinal game at 5:30 p.m.

In Wednesday's game between Calvin and Alma, both teams brought energy to start the game as the scoring was going back and forth. Sophomore Baylee GalanBrowne (Evergreen, CO / Evergreen) came off the bench and hit a long two to give the Knights an 8-6 lead with 5:30 left in the quarter. The Scots weren't backing down and brought the defensive intensity that was getting to the Knights early. Alma was able to capitalize on this and go on a small run at the end of the quarter to take a 16-12 lead.

The Knights picked things up offensively in the second quarter as sophomore Gabby Timmer (Caledonia, MI / South Christian) made a tough layup to tie the game up at 16-16 with 8:10 left. Calvin put its foot on the gas as this sparked a 13-2 run which was capped off by senior Kara Minderhoud (Grand Rapids, MI / Covenant Christian) with layup through contact and gave the Knights a 29-18 lead with 2:15 left in the quarter. Calvin went on to take a 31-21 lead heading into halftime.

The Knights were shooting 40% from the field and both teams did not make a three in the first half. Calvin outrebound Alma 21-13 in the first half and had a team six assists as well.

Calvin once again started out a quarter hot again as Gabby Timmer scored five straight points in the first minutes of the quarter to give the Knights a 36-21 lead. The Knights continued to extend the lead by picking up the pace of the game. Freshman Sydney Cleary (Middleville, MI / South Christian) hit the game's first three pointer to extend the lead to 15 with a score of 45-30 with 2:45 left in the quarter. Calvin maintained the lead the rest of the quarter and led 48-35 heading into the fourth.

Sophomore Stephanie Coors (Evergreen, CO / Valor Christian) started the scoring action by scoring seven straight points to extend the lead to 18 with a score of 55-37 in the early minutes. The Knights stayed in control the rest of game and Alma couldn't mount a comeback.

Gabby Timmer led the Knights in scoring with 17 points and had 5 rebounds and 3 assists as well. Sydney Cleary finished with 16 points while Stephanie Coors had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Calvin shot 42.2% from the field and 26.3% from three. They also outrebound Alma 35-30 on the nights and finished with 19 team assists.

COACHES COMMENT: "Our team performance tonight was outstanding," said Calvin head women's basketball coach Mark Christner. "The beauty of this group has been its fight for each other during tough moments in games. I thought we did a great job on the board, our ball movement improved as the game went on and our togetherness was solid all game long. Thanks to the Calvin community for coming out and supporting this team. We are excited about the opportunity Friday."

NEXT UP: Calvin will play at Hope in the semifinal round of the MIAA Tournament on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION: 

Hope College is now offering online ticket sales to purchase tickets in advance for this weekend's women's basketball games at Hope College. There are no refunds.

Friday: https://tix5.centerstageticketing.com/sites/hopecollege6/event-details.php?e=727 

Saturday: https://tix5.centerstageticketing.com/sites/hopecollege6/event-details.php?e=731

Fans also can purchase tickets in advance by calling the Hope Ticket Office at  (616) 395-7890 on Thursday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fans also can purchase tickets for Saturday's game after the conclusion of Friday's second semifinal.

Tickets cost $7 for the general public and $5 for MIAA faculty and staff. MIAA students get in free with ID.

The ticket office at DeVos Fieldhouse will open on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., one hour before tipoff.