CHICAGO - The Calvin women's basketball team defeated North Park 79-73 on day two of the Midway Classic hosted by University of Chicago on Saturday. 

Gabby Timmer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) led the charge for the Knights, scoring a career-high 36 points to go with 18 rebounds. Timmer made 14 of her 24 attempts from the field and also went 8-10 from the free throw line, while also providing a presence on the defensive end with four blocks.

The two teams went back and forth throughout a fast-paced first half, as Calvin (4-0) jumped in front 19-18 after the first quarter, but North Park (2-3) took a 37-35 lead into the half.

Timmer was the driving force on offense for the Knights in the first half, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to keep Calvin within two at the break.

The Knights took control of the game in the third quarter, out-scoring the Vikings 28-10 to take a 63-47 lead into the fourth period. Timmer scored nine points in the quarter, while Allie Mayes (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) and RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) each contributed four points apiece off the bench to help finish the quarter on a high note.

North Park hung around in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to four (75-71) with 1:24 remaining, but the Knights' defense and free throw shooting were able to secure the win down the stretch.

The Knights dominated the game down low, as Timmer's big day helped them out-score the undersized Vikings 52-32 in the paint and 16-4 in second-chance points. Calvin shot 46.3 percent for the game from the field.

Leah Harris (Frisco, Texas/Lone Star) joined Timmer in double figures with 15 points on 7-13 shooting. She also added three assists. Sydney Cleary (Middleville, Mich./South Christian) led the team with five assists to go with six rebounds and seven points.

COACH'S COMMENT: "A really nice win for us," Calvin head coach Mark Christner said. "We wanted to improve on the glass and we did. I really liked our energy level to start the second half. We gained some lessons on defensive execution pieces. So we are pleased to come back home 2-0 this weekend."

NEXT UP: Calvin women's basketball will return to action on Saturday, November 26, when it travels to UW-Whitewater for a game scheduled to tip off at 6:00 PM (CST).