OLIVET, Mich. - The Calvin University women's basketball team jumped in front early and held off the Comets of Olivet College 58-48 on Saturday.

Calvin (7-2, 2-2 MIAA) started strong and took a 20-10 lead after the opening period, but Olivet (2-9, 1-3 MIAA) battled back by out-scoring the Knights 17-13 in the second quarter to cut the Calvin lead to six at 33-27 heading into halftime.

After shooting 50.0 percent in the first quarter, the Knights generated a number of good looks, but struggled to finish in the paint and shot 26.3 percent in the second quarter. Gabby Timmer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) paced the Knights with 13 first-half points.

Defense continued to carry the day for both teams in the second half, as the Knights built a 43-35 lead after three quarters. The Calvin defense held the Comets without a point for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as the Knights built their biggest lead of the game at 50-35. Olivet finally got on the board with 4:58 to play in the fourth quarter, but never cut the Knights' lead below eight as Calvin held on for the win.

Both teams struggled from the field, as Calvin shot 31.3 percent while Olivet finished at 30.5 percent overall. The Knights were very good from the free throw line, however, making 14 of 16 attempts. Calvin also put together a strong effort on the glass, out-rebounding the Comets 50-39 and out-scoring them 12-2 in second-chance points.

Timmer finished with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season. The senior center also moved into second place in Calvin women's basketball program history with 1,733 career points, passing Lisa Winkle's (2003-07) total of 1,721 points for that spot

Sara Nealy (Highland Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian) joined Timmer in double figures with 12 points to go with three steals. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "Road wins in the league are hard," said Calvin women's basketball head coach Mark Christner. "We had a tough time separating throughout the game. Certainly Olivet had something to do with that. But I was proud of our poise. I thought we defended better in the second half and the rebounding was consistent throughout. We'll be ready to go on Tuesday to finish out the first semester." 

NEXT UP: Calvin women's basketball returns to action on Tuesday, December 20, when it hosts Cornerstone in a game scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.