GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- Tonight the Calvin women's basketball team fell 67-50 to the Thunder of Trine University in its first MIAA conference matchup of the season.

After tonight's game the Knights moved to 3-3 while the 20th-ranked Thunder improved to 4-1.

The first half was all Trine as the Thunder got out to a quick start and went on an early 14-2 run to take a commanding lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter Trine built on its lead and led by as much as 15 points. 

With four minutes left in the second quarter the Knights came to life thanks to back-to-back steals from RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington,Mich./Ludington) on defense. Calvin built on its momentum with a big three-pointer from Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and headed into halftime trailing 36-26.

Emma Witte (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) led the way for the Knights in the first half with 6 points while Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) and Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) each had 4 points. Calvin shot 34.6 percent from the field compared to Trine's 50 percent.

As the second half got underway Trine once again came out swinging and increased the lead to twenty. However, the Knights refused to fold as they dug in on defense and began clicking on offense. Calvin went on a 15-2 run and with two huge three-pointers from Witte, the Knights came as close as six points to the Thunder in the third quarter.

Unfortunately for Calvin, the Thunder pulled together in the fourth quarter to run away with the game and win 67-50. Trine held the Knights to a 32.7 shooting percentage while shooting 45.5 percent themselves. 

Witte was the leading scorer for the Knights with 15 points while Dirkse contributed 8 points. Rohrer chipped in 6 points with Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) and Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) both having 5 points.

COACHES COMMENT: "It was a disappointing result in a lot of ways tonight," said head coach Mark Christner. "Credit to Trine. We have to figure out how to create more space offensively. Shooting 30% isn't close to good enough. So we'll get back to work tomorrow and get ready for a trip to South Bend on Saturday."

UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Saturday, December 2nd when they travel to Saint Mary's to take on the Belles at 1PM.