HOLLAND, Mich. - Tonight the Calvin women's basketball team traveled to Holland to take on its longtime rival, Hope College. It was a battle from start to finish but when the dust settled the Knights had fallen to the Dutch 52-32.

After tonight's game Calvin moved to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play while the nineteenth ranked Dutch improved to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in MIAA.

In the first quarter Hope came out hot as it went on a quick 9-0 run. Half way through the first ten minute stretch the Knights found some life when they dug in on defense and forced the Dutch to commit back-to-back shot clock violations. On the other end Calvin took advantage of the turnovers as RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) scored on a wide open layup while Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth) converted a pull up jumper to make the score 5-10. However, Hope quickly regained control and ended the first quarter leading 21-5.

In the second quarter Hope continued to build on its lead and at halftime the Knights trailed 33-16. Throughout the first half the Knights held Hope to a 33.3 shooting percentage and recorded three blocks. 

In the third quarter the Knights really seemed to find their footing as they began to claw their way back. On the defensive end Calvin forced seven turnovers as the Dutch went 1-10 from the field. Junior Emma Witte (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) kick-started the offense for the Knights as she hit a big three-pointer before freshman Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) followed suit and also drained one from behind the arc. By the end of the third quarter Calvin had held Hope to just four points and had cut the Dutch lead in half as the score was now 37-26.

In the fourth quarter the Dutch regained control of the game as they put space between themselves and the Knights. At the end of full time Hope emerged with the 52-32 victory over Calvin.

The Knights finished the Knight with a 25.0 shooting percentage while Hope had a 29.5 shooting percentage. Calvin has been impactful all season and continued that streak tonight as they contributed 15 points.

Rohrer led the way for the Knights on offense as she finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Witte finished with 5 points while Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion), Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian), Fernandez all had 4 points.

COACHES COMMENT: "I think that we have said all along that we have a group that can play defense," said head coach Mark Christner. "The offensive piece is still a work in progress for us. Despite not coming out with the victory I'm proud of our defensive effort and holding them to four points in the third quarter was big. I thought we really battled under some tough circumstances and that our group handled themselves well today. We've played a tough schedule thus far and I'm pleased to see us improving every game."

UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on December 16th when they take on Alma at Van Noord Arena. Tip off is set for 3 P.M.